Understanding the Function Constitution and Influence Factors on Communication for the WeChat Official Account of Top Tertiary Hospitals in China: Cross-Sectional Study

Shen, Lining; Wang, Shimin; Chen, Wenqiang; Fu, Qiang; Evans, Richard; Lan, Fuqiang; Wei, Li; Xu, Juan; Zhang, Zhiguo

doi:10.2196/13025

Cited by 40 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…In China, over 95% of adults own a mobile phone and over 1 billion access WeChat at least once a day. The app has become an integral part of Chinese daily life, with citizens using it to send messages, share updates, and access the latest news from the government, celebrities, enterprises, and so on [31]. Our study further confirmed that WeChat has become an ideal platform for delivering health-related information.…”

Section: Principal Findingssupporting

confidence: 66%

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Measures Undertaken in China to Avoid COVID-19 Infection: Internet-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Huang¹,

Wu²,

Wang³

et al. 2020

J Med Internet Res

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Background In early 2020, over 80,000 cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were confirmed in China. Public prevention and control measures, along with efforts from all sectors of society, were undertaken to control and eliminate disease transmission. Objective This paper describes Chinese citizens’ response to the epidemic, the preventive measures they implemented to avoid being infected, and the public strategies that were carried out by the government, health workers, etc. We also discuss the efficacy of these measures in controlling the epidemic in China. Methods Information on the responses and behaviors of Chinese citizens were collected through a cross-sectional, internet-based survey using Dingxiang Doctor’s public account on WeChat. Information on public strategies implemented by all sectors of society to control the epidemic and data on new COVID-19 cases were collected from the internet, mainly from government websites. Standard descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. Results A total of 10,304 participants responded to the survey, with 10,198 valid responses; 74.1% (n=7557) were female and 25.9% (n=2641) were male. Overall, 98.2% (n=10,013) of participants paid high or very high attention to the epidemic, with WeChat being their main information source (n=9400, 92.2%). Over half the participants (n=5878, 57.7%) were confident that the epidemic could be curbed in China; 92.4% (n=9427) opened windows for ventilation more frequently than usual; 97.9% (n=9986) used masks in public; 95.7% (n=9759) avoided large crowds and stayed at home as much as possible; and 97.9% (n=9988) washed their hands more often than usual. Women were more likely to practice these behaviors than men (P<.001). With a series of strict public control measures, like nationwide health education campaigns, holiday extensions, the Examine and Approve Policy on the resumption of work, close management of working and living quarters, a health QR (Quick Response) code system, community screening, and social distancing policies, the number of new cases have decreased dramatically since February 12, 2020. Conclusions The methods employed by Chinese citizens and authorities have effectively curtailed the spread of COVID-19, demonstrating that this pandemic can be brought under control as long as the right measures are taken.

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Section: Principal Findingssupporting

confidence: 66%

“…Our study further confirmed that WeChat has become an ideal platform for delivering health-related information. Other studies from China also found WeChat to be an effective health behavior intervention platform [31][32][33].…”

Section: Principal Findingsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Measures Undertaken in China to Avoid COVID-19 Infection: Internet-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Huang¹,

Wu²,

Wang³

et al. 2020

J Med Internet Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As one of the most popular social platforms in China, WeChat has more than 1.1 billion monthly active users [ 5 ] and has become a frequently used information dissemination platform [ 6 ]. WeChat contains a specific module called WeChat official account [ 7 ], which is a platform operated by institutions, communities, or individuals. WeChat official accounts are widely used to share stories, report news, or disseminate various types of information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Health Information Dissemination on User Follows and Likes during COVID-19 Outbreak in China: Data and Content Analysis

Deng

2020

IJERPH

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Background: COVID-19 has greatly attacked China, spreading in the whole world. Articles were posted on many official WeChat accounts to transmit health information about this pandemic. The public also sought related information via social media more frequently. However, little is known about what kinds of information satisfy them better. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of health information dissemination that affected users’ information behavior on WeChat. Methods: Two-wave data were collected from the top 200 WeChat official accounts on the Xigua website. The data included the change in the number of followers and the total number of likes on each account in a 7-day period, as well as the number of each type of article and headlines about coronavirus. It was used to developed regression models and conduct content analysis to figure out information characteristics in quantity and content. Results: For nonmedical institution accounts in the model, report and story types of articles had positive effects on users’ following behaviors. The number of headlines on coronavirus positively impacts liking behaviors. For medical institution accounts, report and science types had a positive effect, too. In the content analysis, several common characteristics were identified. Conclusions: Characteristics in terms of the quantity and content in health information dissemination contribute to users’ information behavior. In terms of the content in the headlines, via coding and word frequency analysis, organizational structure, multimedia applications, and instructions—the common dimension in different articles—composed the common features in information that impacted users’ liking behaviors.

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“…In the current study, researchers contacted with each patient and sent educational information to patients one by one, which may add significant time and work to the research. WeChat Mini Programs and WeChat Official Account are lightweight micro-apps on WeChat and support multiple functions [45,46]. We suggest that WeChat mini programs and WeChat Official Account can be used to improve the WeChat-based intervention in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of WeChat-based educational intervention in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2021

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Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as a common inflammatory rheumatic disease, often causes depression and impaired health-related quality of life (QoL). Although positive effects of patient education have been demonstrated, limited studies explored the benefits of education via mobile applications for AS patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the WeChat-based educational intervention on depression, health-related QoL, and other clinical outcomes in AS patients. Methods We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial from March to December 2017. Patients were recruited and randomized into the intervention group which received a 12-week WeChat-based educational intervention (consisting of four individual online educational sessions, online educational materials) or the control group receiving standard care. Data was collected at baseline and 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured by Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS-G), and visual analog scales. Results A total of 118 patients with AS were included and analyzed. Measures at baseline were comparable between groups. After the intervention, the intervention group reported significant higher scores of all domains of SF-36 except for physical functioning and validity, compared with the control group. Additionally, patients in the intervention group had lower depressive symptoms than the control group. No significant difference in other outcomes was observed at 12 weeks. Conclusions This study found that the 12-week educational intervention via WeChat had positive effects on reducing depressive symptoms and improving health-related QoL in Chinese patients with AS. We suggest that this intervention can be integrated into current routine care of AS patients. Trial registration This study has been approved by the hospital’s ethics committee (ID: 20160364) in 2016 and registered at the Chinese Clinical Trail Registry (registry number: ChiCTR-IPR-16009293).

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Understanding the Function Constitution and Influence Factors on Communication for the WeChat Official Account of Top Tertiary Hospitals in China: Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 40 publications

References 45 publications

Measures Undertaken in China to Avoid COVID-19 Infection: Internet-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Measures Undertaken in China to Avoid COVID-19 Infection: Internet-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Effects of Health Information Dissemination on User Follows and Likes during COVID-19 Outbreak in China: Data and Content Analysis

The effects of WeChat-based educational intervention in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

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