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Evolution of Social Media in Pediatric Urology: the First Live Tweet Chat on Testicular Torsion

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Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Social media is a global phenomenon altering the way in which people interact. Its uses and reach have evolved beyond mere online networking to include and impact medicine. Reports show that 70-75% of US consumers look to the Internet for healthcare advice, of which 40% rely on responses from social sites. Social media allows for rapid communication, discussion, and dissemination of information to large groups of people. It also allows physicians to bring to the forefront important healthcare issues. Pediatric urology in particular is well suited to utilize social media as a unique way to touch base with younger patients, particularly in discussing sensitive topics such as testicular torsion. _x000D_ _x000D_ There is no reliable method to identify which patients may develop testicular torsion until the onset of symptoms. If the patient is unaware of the condition, there may be a delay in presentation and intervention. The TWIST (Testicular pain suddenly; Warning or take action for pain, swelling, or redness; Immediately tell an adult; See a doctor; Time is limited) campaign began in 2013 as a regional campaign in DE, PA, and FL to promote awareness of testicular torsion. When this topic was taught at school and discussed openly in the community, these patients were found to present earlier leading to a higher likelihood of testicular salvage. With the advent of social media, this campaign led to the first live tweet chat on testicular torsion._x000D_

Methods

A comprehensive literature review in PubMed was performed related to keywords "social media" and "urology". Additionally, informatics regarding the live tweet chat were also obtained.

Results

The first live chat on Twitter regarding testicular torsion took place on 6/15/2015. It was sponsored by Kids Health, Nemours, Urology Care Foundation, Young Men’s Health, and Men’s Health Network. Dr Rupal Gupta, medical editor at Kids Health, Dr Carlos Estrada from Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr T. Ernesto Figueroa from Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children were the facilitators of the chat. The search tags included #khchat and #TesticularTorsion. It lasted one hour, and was joined by 90 people producing 660 tweets and 33,750,157 impressions on this subject. Throughout the chat, various questions were posed by Kids Health that were answered by the facilitators to provide information and generate discussion.

Conclusions

Social media provides an outlet to discuss significant healthcare topics and serves as a unique way to reach a younger audience. Tweet chats in particular are a successful way in pediatric urology to promote awareness of important topics.

Funding

None

Authors
Christina Ho
T. Ernesto Figueroa
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