Cancer Communication on Social Media

Gage‐Bouchard, Elizabeth A.; LaValley, Susan; Mollica, Michelle; Beaupin, Lynda Kwon

doi:10.1097/ncc.0000000000000418

Cited by 88 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Previous research has indicated that these platforms as a source of support for cancer may be too general and more emotionally oriented (as opposed to focused on resources/needs) [ 33 ]. Popular social media outlets such as Facebook may also provide information that needs to be appraised for quality to ensure that it is evidence based [ 34 , 35 ]. Recent developments in online support group platforms include patient-generated health-data cohorts, where cancer survivors can report health data and experiences through their mobile and wearable health devices [ 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent digital divide in health-related internet use among cancer survivors: findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2003–2018

et al. 2020

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent digital divide in health-related internet use among cancer survivors: findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2003–2018

et al. 2020

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“…First, research has examined the types and nature of health-related communication on SNS. 10-17,19 Second, research has examined audience engagement with cancer-related information posts on SNS by examining what types of posts receive the most comments, shares, likes, and emoji reactions. 6-8,20-23 This previous research has answered critical questions surrounding the types of cancer-related information available on SNS and differential amplifications of certain kinds of cancer-related information on SNS by way of audience engagement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This growing body of literature has found that, beyond being a means of accessing social support and sharing their illness-related experiences, people use SNS when seeking advice, opinions, or answers to their health-related questions. 10-17 This type of SNS use occurs, despite patients and health-care professionals having concerns about misinformation on social media 14,17,18 as well as the mixed results of research examining the scientific accuracy of health information provided on SNS. 19 Another focus of cancer communication research has been to understand the quantity, content, quality, and user engagement (eg, likes and comments) in relation to information about cancer on SNS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deciphering the Signal From the Noise: Caregivers’ Information Appraisal and Credibility Assessment of Cancer-Related Information Exchanged on Social Networking Sites

2019

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With the rise in the use of the Internet for health-related purposes, social networking sites (SNSs) have become a prominent platform for cancer communication and information exchange. Studies of cancer communication on SNS have mostly focused on understanding the quantity, content, quality, and user engagement (eg, likes and comments) with cancer-related information on SNS. There is less of an understanding of when and why people coping with cancer turn to SNS for cancer-related information, and how users appraise the credibility of cancer-related information obtained on SNS. In this study, we use data from in-depth qualitative interviews with 40 primary caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer to examine how cancer caregivers engage in information appraisal and credibility assessment of cancer-related information obtained on SNS. Findings show that cancer caregivers turned to SNS for cancer-related information because information on SNS was immediate, targeted in response to specific caregiver questions and concerns, and tailored to the specific information needs of cancer caregivers. Cancer caregivers evaluated the credibility of cancer-related information obtained on SNS through assessment of the SNS user who posted the information, frequency the same information was shared, and external corroboration. Findings have important implications for cancer communication and information interventions and point to elements of SNS cancer communication that can be integrated into health professional-facilitated communication and cancer information strategies.

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“…For example, the use of social media in the fields of child-feeding behaviors, food skills self-efficacy and acquisition, and the dissemination and implementation of social media-based nutrition interventions are yet to be investigated. As opposed to other fields in health care, such as medicine [ 103 - 105 ] and online health communities [ 106 ] for which content analyses of social media tools have been previously published, we only identified 2 content analysis studies of social media written by RDs and both focused on food blogs. Further comparative content analysis of social media written by RDs compared with layperson would help deepen our understanding of the quality and extent of nutrition information disseminated through social media.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Users, Uses, and Effects of Social Media in Dietetic Practice: Scoping Review of the Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

Dumas

Lapointe

2018

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundSocial media platforms are increasingly used by registered dietitians (RDs) to improve knowledge translation and exchange in nutrition. However, a thorough understanding of social media in dietetic practice is lacking.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to map and summarize the evidence about the users, uses, and effects of social media in dietetic practice to identify gaps in the literature and inform future research by using a scoping review methodology.MethodsStages for conducting the scoping review included the following: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies through a comprehensive multidatabase and gray literature search strategy; (3) selecting eligible studies; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting results for dissemination. Finally, knowledge users (RDs working for dietetic professional associations and public health organizations) were involved in each review stage to generate practical findings.ResultsOf the 47 included studies, 34 were intervention studies, 4 were descriptive studies, 2 were content analysis studies, and 7 were expert opinion papers in dietetic practice. Discussion forums were the most frequent social media platform evaluated (n=19), followed by blogs (n=13) and social networking sites (n=10). Most studies targeted overweight and obese or healthy users, with adult populations being most studied. Social media platforms were used to deliver content as part of larger multiple component interventions for weight management. Among intervention studies using a control group with no exposition to social media, we identified positive, neutral, and mixed effects of social media for outcomes related to users’ health behaviors and status (eg, dietary intakes and body weight), participation rates, and professional knowledge. Factors associated with the characteristics of the specific social media, such as ease of use, a design for quick access to desired information, and concurrent reminders of use, were perceived as the main facilitators to the use of social media in dietetic practice, followed to a lesser extent by interactions with an RD and social support from fellow users. Barriers to social media use were mostly related to complicated access to the site and time issues.ConclusionsResearch on social media in dietetic practice is at its infancy, but it is growing fast. So far, this field of research has targeted few social media platforms, most of which were assessed in multiple-component interventions for weight management among overweight or obese adults. Trials isolating the effects and mechanisms of action of specific social media platforms are needed to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of those tools to support dietetic practice. Future studies should address barriers and facilitators related to the use of social media written by RDs and should explore how to make these tools useful for RDs to reach health consumers to improve health through diet.

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Cancer Communication on Social Media

Cited by 88 publications

References 24 publications

Persistent digital divide in health-related internet use among cancer survivors: findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2003–2018

Persistent digital divide in health-related internet use among cancer survivors: findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey, 2003–2018

Deciphering the Signal From the Noise: Caregivers’ Information Appraisal and Credibility Assessment of Cancer-Related Information Exchanged on Social Networking Sites

Users, Uses, and Effects of Social Media in Dietetic Practice: Scoping Review of the Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

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