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The use of social media among the pediatric colorectal community

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Abstract

Purpose

Pediatric colorectal conditions require complex medical care and can require lifelong support. Caregivers often seek medical information on the internet. The aim of this study was to characterize the use of three social media platforms for information sharing about pediatric colorectal conditions.

Methods

A systematic study of Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter was performed using standardized search terms. Accounts with activity within the last year were included. Quantitative data were collected. Accounts were qualitatively assessed and assigned a functional category. Group differences were tested via Kruskal–Wallis test and Fisher’s exact tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

Results

A total of 96 Instagram accounts, 57 Twitter accounts, 49 Facebook pages, and 45 Facebook groups were identified. Accounts originated from 24 countries and the greatest number of accounts was created in 2013. The most common source of information on Instagram was from personal accounts (74.0%), on Facebook was from support groups (45.7%), and on Twitter was from health care providers (35.1%), (p < 0.001). The most common functional categories on Instagram were personal story (69.8%), on Twitter were scientific information/medical research (57.9%), and on Facebook were supportive/story sharing (47.8%), (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Social media serves as a source for medical information and allows for supportive communities for pediatric colorectal patients and their families to exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13213 E 16th Ave, Anschutz Medical Campus, Box 323, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Marina L. Reppucci, Luis De La Torre, Alberto Peña, Laura Judd-Glossy, Jill Ketzer & Andrea Bischoff

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA

    Laura Judd-Glossy

  3. Pediatric Mental Health Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Laura Judd-Glossy

  4. Children’s Hospital Center for Research in Outcomes for Children’s Surgery, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Kaci Pickett

Authors
  1. Marina L. Reppucci
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  2. Luis De La Torre
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  3. Alberto Peña
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  4. Laura Judd-Glossy
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  5. Kaci Pickett
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  6. Jill Ketzer
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  7. Andrea Bischoff
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Correspondence to Marina L. Reppucci.

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Reppucci, M.L., De La Torre, L., Peña, A. et al. The use of social media among the pediatric colorectal community. Pediatr Surg Int 38, 43–50 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-021-05022-w

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