What Are Diabetes Patients Versus Health Care Personnel Discussing on Social Media?

Abstract

Use of social media is increasing rapidly, including for health issues and especially for those with diabetes. Among health care personnel there is also a steady increase of social media use. 1,2 This increase in use is generally good for those who are able to actively participate in, or follow the online discussions, but one pattern we see is that patients, health care personnel, and patient organizations discuss diabetes very differently. This can lead to lack of common ground when these stakeholders communicate about the disease and a gap in understanding of one another's point of view. Patients, patient organizations, and health care personnel organize in various forms of social media groups-such as Facebook, where some organize in closed groups whereas others prefer open groups. 3,4 Of these three groups, patients seems to be the most common users of social media for health issues, with the most members and followers. One of the main reasons is that individuals living with the disease need frequent and detailed follow-up. Because health care personnel have limited ability to provide this due to their busy work schedules, patients are turning to one another with questions and answers about diabetes self-management on social media.

Factors Engaging Users of Diabetes Social Media Channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Observational Study

“…In a previous study [ 20 ], we surveyed followers of the Norwegian Diabetes Association’s social media channels, and we found that almost all the respondents wanted more content about research and innovation on diabetes in social media groups, preferably in text format. However, other previous studies have reported that social media groups for patients with diabetes mostly shared content about diabetes self-management [ 1 - 4 ], scientific content [ 3 , 4 ], health care services [ 3 , 4 ], diabetes awareness [ 3 , 4 ], personal stories [ 2 ], or humor [ 2 ].…”

Perspectiva de jovens com diabetes sobre intervenção educativa na rede social Facebook®

“…The mean age of participants was 21 years. The majority were female (21), single (34) and had already completed or higher education degree was in progress (21). All participated in the activities until group closure.…”

“…(33) Nonetheless, given the possibility of divergence between the information posted in these groups and those recommended, mediation by professionals would minimize dissemination of wrong health practices. (34) In the nurses' daily routine, the use of different technologies can produce significant changes in the self-care capacity of people with DM, highlighting the importance of technical and clinical knowledge of nursing interventions. (3,35) In this sense, the young people studied reported better adherence to treatment with the use of this technology.…”

“…(5) Internationally, the use of digital platforms as a tool for health education in patients with DM has been the object of several studies, which has highlighted the benefits of this use. (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) For example, it has been identified that an important percentageabout 30% -of patients with 1DM and 2DM use Facebook® as the first source of information about the disease. (5) This tool has been used to share personal clinical information, request specific disease guidance and feedback, and also receive emotional support.…”

Perception of diabetes management and cardiovascular disease risk among men with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study

“…Finding reliable sources with professional validation of information became an issue with the spread of health information through social media. There is statistically significant inaccuracy in the information posted on social media, which requires verification to ensure safe and accurate information dissemination (Årsand, Bradway, & Gabarron, ). The information disseminated through social media might have positive or adverse health effects as cultural and gender differences affect the body responds to food, home remedies, medication and disease outcomes (Campesi, Franconi, Seghieri, & Meloni, ) and the same recipe might not have the same effect on all people.…”