Abstract 13187: TikTok and Cardiovascular Health: An Analysis of TikTok as a Potential Outlet to Increase Cardiovascular Health Literacy

Abstract

Introduction: Multidisciplinary approaches promoting continued patient education may improve patient adherence and reduce hospitalizations. The recent emergence of short video applications provides a new avenue for health-related education. Current and future patients can benefit from utilizing this new media resource to expand cardiovascular health literacy and promote positive outcomes. Methods: TikTok was queried in #cardiology, #cardiologylife, #interventionalcardiology, #pediatriccardiology, #cardiologynurse between 11/15/22-11/18/22. Inclusion criteria were English videos focused on information, inspiration, or wellness from US healthcare professionals between 2021-2022. Posts that met inclusion criteria (N=218) were statistically analyzed. A linear model was created to estimate a value for views. Results: The year 2022 had the highest values of 324,077 views, 14,901 likes, and 1170 downloads, as opposed to 2021 with 305,377 views, 6918 likes, and 508 downloads. Of the 218 videos, 127 (58.3%) involved information, 45 (20.6%) involved inspiration, and 46 (21.1%) involved wellness. The difference in mean views between 2021 and 2022 was 38,937 (p=0.23), suggesting a potential upward trend. The difference in mean likes and downloads between 2021 and 2022 was 2909 (p=0.009) and 276 (p=0.013) respectively. Linear modeling revealed a strong relationship between likes/downloads and views, but could not predict the number of views on a video. While we cannot confidently state that the mean number of views is increasing, we have determined that likes and downloads are certainly increasing with expanding engagement. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the use of social media, specifically TikTok, as an inexpensive and passive way to improve health literacy. The increasing average number of views from 2021 to 2022 illustrates the upward trend among users and how TikTok can be used in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and patient education. Further research is required to determine the role TikTok may play in patient care and how it may be utilized to inform the care of specific patient populations; however, the opportunities it may provide are promising.