Source Of Medical Information Research Articles

Effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in comparison with other methods of treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis: literature review

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common causes of pain in the heel area, which is associated with the presence of inflammation in the plantar fascia and is most often localized in the medial part of the heel area. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a method of hardware treatment that has been used in orthopedics and traumatology for the past decades. One of the main diseases successfully treated with this method is plantar fasciitis. The aim of the work was to determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of plantar fasciitis compared to other methods of conservative treatment based on the literature review. Research literary sources from scientific electronic databases PubMed, Medline and other sources of scientific and medical information were analyzed. A literature search was performed using search queries specifying the method under study and plantar fasciitis, namely: «Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy», «Plantar Fasciitis», «Conservative Treatment», «Physiotherapy». During the search, 473 scien­tific articles devoted to the treatment of plantar fasciitis were selected. Given the large number of articles and the desire to present up-to-date data, the query was limited to the last 9 years (from 2015 to 2023) and 417 articles were selected. Articles devoted to other methods of treatment of PF (conservative and surgical) and articles devoted to the use of ESWT in orthopedic and traumatological diseases of other localizations were excluded from the search results. At the second stage of the search, articles devoted exclusively to the treatment of PF by the ESWT method were excluded, and sources comparing the effectiveness of ESWT treatment with other methods of conservative treatment were selected (31 articles). The main results – it was determined that extracorporeal shock wave therapy continues to remain one of the main methods of conservative treatment of PF, which has been used for the last decades. It has proven its high efficiency and safety in the treatment of PF. Compared with other methods of conservative treatment of PF, extracorporeal shock wave therapy remains one of the most effective, it is successfully used in the treatment of PF.

Association between beliefs in medical conspiracy theories and health behaviors among medical and healthcare students. Implications for professional practice.

While conspiracy theories cover many different themes, medical conspiracy theories (MCTs) have become particularly prevalent in modern societies. As beliefs in MCTs can become a source of "infodemics", influence individual health behaviors and cause distrust in medical institutions and personnel, healthcare workers must find ways to overturn patients' conspiracy thinking. However, as the medical world is not free of these beliefs, in this study, we investigated beliefs in MCTs among medical and health science students and their association with reported health behaviors. Our sample was derived from a self-administered, anonymized, computer-assisted web survey conducted among 1,175 medical and health science students enrolled at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. From a set of twenty different MCTs, one-third of students rejected all of them, 18% believed in one, 15% in two, 10% in three, and 24% supported four or more conspiracy theories. In addition, many students were hesitant or unsure about MCTs. We also found that nursing and midwifery students were the most likely to believe in MCTs, while medical and dental students were the least supportive. Support for MCTs was higher among students in the early years of their studies and who declared themselves religious and conservative. This study also highlights the association between students' support for MCTs and their reported health behaviors, including avoiding vaccinations, using alternative medicine, taking vitamin C, or using social media as an essential source of health information. As medical and health science students are prone to conspiratorial thinking, they should be trained to act as a trusted and reliable source of medical information, to mitigate conspiratorial beliefs, and to act as role models for their patients and society, effectively shaping health behaviors in the population.

Community Health Needs Assessment of Primary Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Continuous assessment of community health needs is essential to predict, recognize, and act on healthcare issues. Conducting community health needs assessments (CHNAs) in Saudi Arabia has become a priority to overcome the current healthcare challenges and keep pace with the Saudi Arabia 2030 vision. Studies reporting community health needs in Saudi Arabia regions are limited despite the high incidence of chronic diseases. This study aims to understand the community’s health problems and the range of healthy behaviors and determine the priority health problems. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the adults in Primary Health Care Centers in Hail, Northern Saudi Arabia, by using the CHNA standard questionnaire. In addition to the demographic information, the questionnaire collects data on personal health status, the health status of adults and children, health facilities access information, receiving of healthcare procedures, traveling for healthcare, source of medical information, safety measures and behaviors, health problems, childcare (special needs), and perceived community problems. Results In all, 336 individuals were approached to participate in this study; 303 agreed to participate (response rate: 90%). The analysis comprised 276 individuals after eliminating 27 who did not fulfill the age inclusion criteria or had missing gender data. Of these, 107 (38.8%) were men and 169 (61.2%) were women. Our data revealed that almost half of the participants, 135 (52.9%) constantly or 107 (42%) occasionally, were able to visit the doctors when needed. Conclusion Our findings reported positive health behaviors and good accessibility to healthcare services when needed. However, the study findings also revealed healthcare challenges that required urgent action from Hail healthcare leaders. Developing healthcare strategies, screening/prevention programs, and changing healthcare policies in the Hail region are needed to control and prevent health problems and improve the population’s health.

Digesting Digital Health: A Study of Appropriateness and Readability of ChatGPT-Generated Gastroenterological Information.

The advent of artificial intelligence-powered large language models capable of generating interactive responses to intricate queries marks a groundbreaking development in how patients access medical information. Our aim was to evaluate the appropriateness and readability of gastroenterological information generated by ChatGPT. We analyzed responses generated by ChatGPT to 16 dialogue-based queries assessing symptoms and treatments for gastrointestinal conditions and 13 definition-based queries on prevalent topics in gastroenterology. Three board-certified gastroenterologists evaluated output appropriateness with a 5-point Likert-scale proxy measurement of currency, relevance, accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, and urgency/next steps. Outputs with a score of 4 or 5 in all 6 categories were designated as "appropriate." Output readability was assessed with Flesch Reading Ease score, Flesch-Kinkaid Reading Level, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook scores. ChatGTP responses to 44% of the 16 dialogue-based and 69% of the 13 definition-based questions were deemed appropriate, and the proportion of appropriate responses within the 2 groups of questions was not significantly different (P = .17). Notably, none of ChatGTP's responses to questions related to gastrointestinal emergencies were designated appropriate. The mean readability scores showed that outputs were written at a college-level reading proficiency. ChatGPT can produce generally fitting responses to gastroenterological medical queries, but responses were constrained in appropriateness and readability, which limits the current utility of this large language model. Substantial development is essential before these models can be unequivocally endorsed as reliable sources of medical information.

Assessment of the Quality and Readability of Web-Based Arabic Health Information on Halitosis: Infodemiological Study.

Halitosis, characterized by an undesirable mouth odor, represents a common concern. This study aims to assess the quality and readability of web-based Arabic health information on halitosis as the internet is becoming a prominent global source of medical information. A total of 300 Arabic websites were retrieved from Google using 3 commonly used phrases for halitosis in Arabic. The quality of the websites was assessed using benchmark criteria established by the Journal of the American Medical Association, the DISCERN tool, and the presence of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode). The assessment of readability (Flesch Reading Ease [FRE], Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level [FKGL]) was conducted using web-based readability indexes. A total of 127 websites were examined. Regarding quality assessment, 87.4% (n=111) of websites failed to fulfill any Journal of the American Medical Association requirements, highlighting a lack of authorship (authors' contributions), attribution (references), disclosure (sponsorship), and currency (publication date). The DISCERN tool had a mean score of 34.55 (SD 7.46), with the majority (n=72, 56.6%) rated as moderate quality, 43.3% (n=55) as having a low score, and none receiving a high DISCERN score, indicating a general inadequacy in providing quality health information to make decisions and treatment choices. No website had HONcode certification, emphasizing the concern over the credibility and trustworthiness of these resources. Regarding readability assessment, Arabic halitosis websites had high readability scores, with 90.5% (n=115) receiving an FRE score ≥80, 98.4% (n=125) receiving a Simple Measure of Gobbledygook score <7, and 67.7% (n=86) receiving an FKGL score <7. There were significant correlations between the DISCERN scores and the quantity of words (P<.001) and sentences (P<.001) on the websites. Additionally, there was a significant relationship (P<.001) between the number of sentences and FKGL and FRE scores. While readability was found to be very good, indicating that the information is accessible to the public, the quality of Arabic halitosis websites was poor, reflecting a significant gap in providing reliable and comprehensive health information. This highlights the need for improving the availability of high-quality materials to ensure Arabic-speaking populations have access to reliable information about halitosis and its treatment options, tying quality and availability together as critical for effective health communication.

What Do Younger and Well-Educated Adults Think about Self-Medication? Results of a Survey during a Public Science Event at Leipzig University.

Consecutive visitors to a public science event at Leipzig University were asked about their opinions/attitudes regarding their personal use of self-medication. A written questionnaire survey addressed (i) participants' characteristics, (ii) frequency of self-medication use in the last 12 months, (iii) symptoms/complaints most frequently considered applicable, (iv) preconditions, (v) limitations, (vi) risks, (vii) fears, (viii) medication information sources, (ix) influencing factors, and (x) reasons for decision making. (i) A total of 189 visitors (median age: 29.0 years; Q25/Q75: 22.0/44.0) participated, of whom 64.0% were female, 38.6% had a university degree, 20.1% were in training, and 14.8% were licensed in a healthcare profession. (ii) A total of 59.3% of participants stated that they had used self-medication regularly in the last 12 months. The most common answers in the respective questions were (iii) headache, 86.2%; (iv) mild complaints/symptoms, 94.7%; (v) duration, 91.6%; (vi) "self-medication may cause adverse drug reactions", 94.2%; (vii) "developing a habituation effect", 58.7%; (viii) pharmacists, 93.7%; (ix) "physician's recommendation", 89.3%; (x) "intensity of complaints", 92.6%; and (vi) 61.3% believed that they could choose an appropriate self-medication. Younger and well-educated adults report using self-medication frequently and rate their expertise as high. Healthcare professionals are the preferred source of information.

Exploring Greek Population Attitudes Towards Using Health-Related Websites for Managing Their Health.

The last few years the Internet has evolved into a prominent information source for many people worldwide. Latest research has shown that an ever increasing number of citizens and patients go online in order to access health information and seek support in managing their health, including understanding their condition, adopting life-saving lifestyle adjustments and keeping up with treatment or aftercare guidelines. Due to this rise on the demand of online health information, health-related sites have increased substantially, with each one of them striving to maintain the most comprehensive and reliable source of health and medical information on the Internet. This paper presents a survey conducted among Greek population aiming at exploring participants general attitudes towards using the Internet to access health information as well as their views regarding a specific Greek health-related website, namely Iatronet. To this end, an online Greek version of eHealth Impact Questionnaire has been used which was developed using RedCAP platform.

Comparative Analysis of Accuracy, Readability, Sentiment, and Actionability: Artificial Intelligence Chatbots (ChatGPT and Google Gemini) versus Traditional Patient Information Leaflets for Local Anesthesia in Eye Surgery.

Eye surgeries often evoke strong negative emotions in patients, including fear and anxiety. Patient education material plays a crucial role in informing and empowering individuals. Traditional sources of medical information may not effectively address individual patient concerns or cater to varying levels of understanding. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the accuracy, completeness, readability, tone, and understandability of patient education material generated by AI chatbots versus traditional Patient Information Leaflets (PILs), focusing on local anesthesia in eye surgery. Expert reviewers evaluated responses generated by AI chatbots (ChatGPT and Google Gemini) and a traditional PIL (Royal College of Anaesthetists' PIL) based on accuracy, completeness, readability, sentiment, and understandability. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests, were conducted to compare the performance of the sources. Readability analysis showed variations in complexity among the sources, with AI chatbots offering simplified language and PILs maintaining better overall readability and accessibility. Sentiment analysis revealed differences in emotional tone, with Google Gemini exhibiting the most positive sentiment. AI chatbots demonstrated superior understandability and actionability, while PILs excelled in completeness. Overall, ChatGPT showed slightly higher accuracy (scores expressed as mean ± standard deviation) (4.71 ± 0.5 vs 4.61 ± 0.62) and completeness (4.55 ± 0.58 vs 4.47 ± 0.58) compared to Google Gemini, but PILs performed best (4.84 ± 0.37 vs 4.88 ± 0.33) in terms of both accuracy and completeness (p-value for completeness <0.05). AI chatbots show promise as innovative tools for patient education, complementing traditional PILs. By leveraging the strengths of both AI-driven technologies and human expertise, healthcare providers can enhance patient education and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and medical care.

Stroke Knowledge and Response Among the General Population in Saudi Arabia: A Population-Based Survey.

Stroke, a condition that disrupts brain function and can result in long-lasting clinical symptoms or death, remains a substantial global health concern. General awareness of stroke leads to a proper response to stroke, pursuit of medical treatment, and a better outcome. Our study aims to explore how the general Saudi Arabian population responds to stroke, investigate the relationship between stroke knowledge and appropriate actions, and identify the most relied upon medical information source about stroke among the public. By highlighting these aspects, we aspire to contribute to the development of effective stroke prevention and management strategies in Saudi Arabia. This descriptive, cross-sectional, web-based study was carried out across multiple regions in Saudi Arabia. Data collection involved a validated online questionnaire (STAT) in Arabic,targeting adults aged 18 and older. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. The study included 390 participants. Notable findings emerged regarding the recognition of stroke symptoms and the factors influencing this recognition. A substantial proportion of respondents correctly identified visual disturbances (55.9%), motor impairment (39.5%), cardiac symptoms (56.2%), sensory symptoms (32.8%), chest pain (62.6%), and arm weakness (36.7%) as indicators requiring immediate medical attention. However, there were lower correct response rates for symptoms such as sudden dizziness (22.8%), confusion (16.9%), difficulty understanding (27.9%), and urinary symptoms (26.9%). Older individuals and retirees generally scored higher in correctly identifying these symptoms. Our study highlights a commendable level of awareness of certain stroke symptoms, such as visual disturbances and chest pain, among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, notable gaps remain in recognizing other symptoms, such as sudden dizziness and confusion. This identification gap presents a clear opportunity for targeted educational initiatives that are essential to improving public recognition of these symptoms. By addressing these gaps, we aim to enhance the response to stroke incidents, potentially improving outcomes and reducing morbidity rates.

OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: ETIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL-PATHOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

In recent years, numerous studies have shown a link between osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Comorbidity of one of these diseases is directly and significantly associated with an increased risk of developing another. Objective. Carrying out a critical analysis of the results ofstudies related to the relationship between CVD and OA, as well as an assessment of the possibilities of their joint prevention and treatment. Methods. Publications from the Google search system, electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and other relevant sources of scientific and medical information were analyzed. The results. The main pathogenetic explanation of the relationship between CVD and OA is the presence of systemic,slowly progressing inflammation, which becomes especially important in patients of older age groups. The similarity of the composition of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the development of both CVD and OA enhances pathological changes in the structure of comorbidity. CVD and OA share common pathological mechanisms, such as oxidative and metabolic stress, molecular factors of endothelial dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and systemic and local vascular remodeling. At the same time, it was established that OA develops against the backgroundof CVD risk factors and progresses along with their accumulation. Special care should be taken when prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The appointment of systemic forms of NSAIDs is not recommended for patientswith high and very high cardiovascular risk. Conclusions. In patients with both conditions, the risk of one is directly related to an increased risk of the other. Further study of the role of comorbiditiesin the pathogenesis of OA will expand the understanding of the integration of cardiovascular risk factors. These facts provide prospects for further studying the role of comorbidities in the pathogenesis of OA, expanding the understandingof the integration of cardiovascular risk factors and successful cardiovascular prevention and treatment of OA.

Representation of Skin of Color in Social Media Discussions on Melasma, Keloids, and Vitiligo.

The prevalence of social media as a source of medical information has grown substantially in recent years, especially for skin conditions disproportionately affecting individuals with skin of color, such as melasma, keloids, and vitiligo. This study aims to evaluate the nature of content related to these conditions on social media platforms, Instagram and TikTok. In March 2023, the top five hashtags for melasma, keloid, and vitiligo were identified on both platforms. For each hashtag, the 10 most popular posts were selected, based on Instagram and TikTok algorithms. A content analysis was conducted, categorizing posts as Educational, Promotional, or Inspirational. Posts were further classified by content creator type. For the top 50 posts related to melasma on Instagram, the majority were promotional (58%), with the most common source being non-dermatologist social media influencers (50%). Dermatologists were the primary content creators for specific hashtags, such as #Melasma on TikTok, where the content was predominantly educational. Considering the high prevalence of dermatologist-creator content on TikTok, it is crucial to continue this shift toward dermatologist-driven educational content, as social media platforms continue to grow. These platforms are valuable channels for dermatologists to educate a broader audience, facilitating the dissemination of accurate medical information.J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(7):510-514. doi:10.36849/JDD.7716.

Analysis of the structure of the information field of perception of risk factors for non-communicable diseases

When studying the attitude of the population to saving their own health, the question of the connection between abstract knowledge about the harm caused to health by risk factors and a real understanding of the harm caused by these factors to their own health remains poorly understood.The purpose of this work is to analyze the structure of the information field of the population’s attitude to the impact of FR on health.Materials and methods. The material for the analysis was the results of a sociological survey in three pilot regions of the Russian Federation – Tula Region, Stavropol Territory and the Republic of Crimea. The questionnaire consisted of 33 questions concerning risk factors and their impact on the human body and a block of questions concerning sources of medical information and trust in them. The sample size was 1,718 respondents. The following methods were used: descriptive statistics and the sociological method of questioning. Statistical data processing and reweighing were carried out in the statistical data processing package SPSS22.0. In general, the sampling error in the study does not exceed 1.99% for a confidence level of p&lt;0.1.Results. The study showed that abstract knowledge about the harm of a particular FR in almost all FR is quite high, since it is precisely on them that the efforts of the medical community have been directed in recent decades. Moreover, the highest values are expected to have such factors as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, elevated blood sugar (glucose) and high blood pressure. The level of knowledge of the harm of FR, to which the medical community paid less attention, was expected to be lower. The lowest value is such a FR as a low iodine content in salt, which is consumed in food. An assessment of the relationship of variables such as abstract knowledge of harm about FR and understanding of their harm to one’s body using a two-way T-criterion showed that these variables are completely independent of each other at the significance level p&lt;0.001. This result made us look more closely at the factor structure of the studied field of reality and put forward the assumption of independence of knowledge about the harm caused to the human body by FR and behavioral patterns in relation to FR. As a result of factor analysis of 73 variables, 9 factors were identified: the first and most powerful factor (10.33%) – knowledge of the effect of FR on one’s own health; the second most powerful factor (8.71%) – knowledge of the harm of FR; the third highlighted factor (5.46%) – trust in information sources, which included both trust in the media and trust in TV presenters, popular personalities and trust in the leaders of the region and the city; the fourth highlighted factor (4.67%) is the gender characteristics of the control of the FR by the population; the fifth highlighted factor (4.59%) is the sources of information about the FR; the sixth highlighted factor (4.30%) – age–related features of FR control; the seventh highlighted factor (3.32%) – the use of gadgets to control FR and exercise; the eighth highlighted factor (3.00%) – trust in health workers as a source of information; the ninth highlighted factor (2.59%) – smoking and alcohol consumption.Conclusion. The assessment of the effect of FR on the respondents’ own health in the framework of the conducted study turned out to be significantly lower than abstract knowledge about the harmful effects of these FR. The analysis of the factor structure of the studied field confirmed the validity of such a division of knowledge based on ideas about its various forms – «knowledge in itself» and «knowledge for oneself». The analysis made it possible to formulate a number of conditions for improving the effectiveness of preventive work with the population, including to increase the impact of population prevention: it is necessary to more actively involve the most important sources for the population – medical workers, scientific medical workers and health managers; more fully take into account the gender and age characteristics of audiences in preventive measures; the use of mass media should be preceded by an analysis of the level of trust in them from the target audience; the information messages themselves must first be checked for memorability. Preventive measures should change the personal meanings of specific people in relation to FR and HLS, and not be limited to stating general knowledge about them. The study also allows us to determine the directions for further research of the population’s attitude to the FR and their own health as an interdisciplinary task with the necessary involvement of specialists in medical and general psychology, personality psychology and motivation psychology, as well as sociologists.

PECULIARITIES OF THE ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL CLEFT UPPER LIP AND PALATE AFTER SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS

The article presents the analysis of contemporary views on issues of orthopedic treatment of patients with congenital cleft upper lip and palate (CCULP) at the stages of their orthopedic rehabilitation. Particular attention is paid to the complex orthopedic treatment of patients with CCULP, based on a careful investigation and consideration of the types of existing deformations and anomalies and, thus, the determination of the most optimal terms and options of prosthetic treatment, which will make it possible to eliminate deformations of the maxillofacial system and implement effective measures for the rehabilitation of patients. The aim of the study is to analyze the sources of scientific and medical information on the orthopedic treatment of patients with congenital cleft lip and palate after the completion of surgical intervention. Materials and methods. The research methods include bibliosemantic and analytical approaches. Results. The sources of scientific and medical information concerning the peculiarities of orthopedic treatment of patients with congenital cleft lip and palate after the completion of surgical interventions were analyzed and processed. Conclusion. The analysis of the results of the studies presented in the review confirms that the only successful complex treatment with the use of multidisciplinary approach can significantly improve the process of rehabilitation of patients with congenital cleft upper lip and palate.

The Association Between the Location of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the Occurrence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a syndrome characterized by transient regional cardiac dysfunction of the left ventricle. The goal of this review is to better understand the relationship between the anatomic locations of subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) and the development of TCM as identified through a review of cohort studies. From inception to December 2023, we systematically explored major electronic medical information sources to identify cases of TCM that developed after SAHs. The six selected studies included in the meta-analysis suggest a modest but statistically significant increase in the odds of the events in the posterior circulation group compared to the anterior circulation group, with a combined odds ratio (OR) estimate of around 1.45-1.46. The fixed effect model gives an overall OR of 1.45 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01 to 2.10, z = 2.01, p = 0.0442, while the random effects model yields a slightly higher OR of 1.46 with the same 95% CI, z = 2.03, p = 0.0425. There is a tendency for SAH occurrence in the posterior cerebral circulation to cause SAH-related TCM more frequently than in the anterior cerebral circulation.

YouTube/ Bilibili/ TikTok videos as sources of medical information on laryngeal carcinoma: cross-sectional content analysis study

BackgroundYouTube, a widely recognized global video platform, is inaccessible in China, whereas Bilibili and TikTok are popular platforms for long and short videos, respectively. There are many videos related to laryngeal carcinoma on these platforms. This study aims to identify upload sources, contents, and feature information of these videos on YouTube, Bilibili, and TikTok, and further evaluate the video quality.MethodsOn January 1, 2024, we searched the top 100 videos by default sort order (300 videos in total) with the terms “laryngeal carcinoma” and “throat cancer” on YouTube, “喉癌” on Bilibili and TikTok. Videos were screened for relevance and similarity. Video characteristics were documented, and quality was assessed by using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), Global Quality Score (GQS), and modified DISCERN (mDISCERN).ResultsThe analysis included 99 YouTube videos, 76 from Bilibili, and 73 from TikTok. Median video lengths were 193 s (YouTube), 136 s (Bilibili), and 42 s (TikTok). TikTok videos demonstrated higher audience interaction. Bilibili had the lowest ratio of original contents (69.7%). Treatment was the most popular topic on YouTube and Bilibili, while that was the prognosis on TikTok. Solo narration was the most common video style across all platforms. Video uploaders were predominantly non-profit organizations (YouTube), self-media (Bilibili), and doctors (TikTok), with TikTok authors having the highest certification rate (83.3%). Video quality, assessed using PEMAT, VIQI, GQS, and mDISCERN, varied across platforms, with YouTube generally showing the highest scores. Videos from professional authors performed better than videos from non-professionals based on the GQS and mDISCERN scores. Spearman correlation analysis showed no strong relationships between the video quality and the audience interaction.ConclusionsVideos on social media platforms can help the public learn about the knowledge of laryngeal cancer to some extent. TikTok achieves the best flow, but videos on YouTube are of the best quality. However, the video quality across all platforms still needs enhancement. We need more professional uploaders to ameliorate the video quality related to laryngeal carcinoma. Content creators also should be aware of the certification, the originality, and the style of video shooting. As for the platforms, refining the algorithm will allow users to receive more high-quality videos.

Social media has become a mainstream source of medical information for patients with rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional survey of patients.

This study analyzed the status of medical information acquisition through social media (SM) and its impact on healthcare utilization among patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) who visited the rheumatology department of a tertiary hospital. We consecutively evaluated 102 patients with RDs in this single-center cross-sectional survey. Using a face-to-face survey, patients were asked about the sources they used to acquire medical information, factors influencing their visits to tertiary hospitals, and the potential impact of acquiring medical information on RDs through SM. SM refers to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Kakao Channel, Naver Band, and X. The mean age was 42.3 years and 39% were female. The most common disease was ankylosing spondylitis (45.1%), followed by rheumatoid arthritis (20.6%). The most frequent method for acquiring medical information regarding RDs, except for rheumatologists, was internet portal sites (47.8%), followed by SM (40.2%). The most important factor influencing the decision to visit a tertiary hospital was medical doctors (51%); only 1% of the patients responded that SM was the most crucial factor in determining their visit. Most patients (77.5%) responded that acquiring medical information through SM would help them manage their diseases. Our data revealed that a substantial proportion of patients with RDs obtained medical information through SM. However, the impact of SM on visiting a tertiary hospital was minimal, suggesting that SM has become a mainstream source of medical information, yet the reliability of SM remains relatively low. Rheumatology societies should establish SM platforms capable of providing high-quality medical information.

Results of the COMPARE-GPT study: Comparison of medication package inserts and GPT-4 cancer drug information.

e13646 Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has opened new avenues for information dissemination. GPT-4 (GPT) is a large language model developed by open AI. Concerns about its accuracy exist, especially in health communications. We conducted a study to evaluate the accuracy of GPT responses to questions about anti-neoplastic agents for solid tumor malignancies. Methods: We evaluated GPT responses to four questions (Table 1) for each solid tumor drug newly approved or approved for a new indication between 2020 and 2022. The responses from GPT were saved and then compared to the information provided in the medication package insert. For discordant results, a second search was run using a new GPT session. The study was performed by two physicians who ensured that the comparison was both rigorous and unbiased. Results: 53 unique antineoplastic agents were included. GPT responses regarding FDA approval &amp; mechanism of action were correct for each drug (100%). When asked about common adverse reactions, GPT provided incorrect responses for 47% (25/53) of the medications and correct responses for 53% (28/43). The inaccurate responses were either missing certain side effects (88%), provided inaccurate incidence rates (8%), and/or included side effects not listed on the package insert (20%). When a second search was conducted with the same question, GPT provided different responses in 76% (19/25), same responses in 16% (4/25) and now correct responses in 8% (2/25). When asked about drug warnings and precautions, GPT provided incorrect responses for 68% (36/53) of the medications and correct responses for 32% (17/53). The inaccurate responses were missing certain warnings and precautions (89%) and/or included warnings and precautions not listed on the package insert (25%). When a second search was conducted with the same question, GPT provided different responses in 53% (19/36), same responses in 39% (14/36) and now correct responses in 8% (3/36). Conclusions: Analysis of solid tumor drugs approved for use in 2020-2022 evaluated GPT's ability to provide drug information. GPT accurately identified FDA approved indications &amp; mechanisms of action but had significant limitations in accurately reporting a comprehensive list of adverse reactions, drug warnings and precautions. GPT occasionally included drug side effects that are not listed in the package insert. Significant variability in output was demonstrated in repeated searches. Given the inconsistencies in the data identified, GPT should not be used as a primary source of medical information and may potentially cause harm. [Table: see text]

Use of artificial intelligence chatbots in clinical management of immune-related adverse events

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have become a major source of general and medical information, though their accuracy and completeness are still being assessed. Their utility to answer questions surrounding immune-related...

Public engagement with pictures and videos about COVID-19 vaccination on social media: A cross-sectional study in a developing country

ABSTRACT Vaccination is a critical component of preventing infectious diseases and is one of the most effective public health interventions. While social media is an essential source of health and medical information, it is crucial to understand the link between social media involvement and vaccination engagement. This study examines the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and social media in Iraq. A web-based questionnaire was administered through Google Forms to elicit responses from a total of 2088 Iraqi social media users aged 18 years and over. The findings suggested significant differences in vaccination engagement due to the level of use of social media and demographic backgrounds, particularly age, educational attainment, and income. Active users and young-aged groups with less educational level and income were more likely to have a positive attitude toward vaccination. Future studies should address demographics and the extent of using social media factors in public health studies. Our findings support the use of social media in raising health awareness.

Canadians’ use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes since legalization of recreational cannabis: a cross-sectional analysis by medical authorization status

BackgroundThere has been a precipitous decline in authorizations for medical cannabis since non-medical cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2018. This study examines the demographic and health- and medical cannabis-related factors associated with authorization as well as the differences in medical cannabis use, side effects, and sources of medical cannabis and information by authorization status.MethodsIndividuals who were taking cannabis for therapeutic purposes completed an online survey in early 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of demographic and health- and medical cannabis-related variables associated with holding medical cannabis authorization. The differences in medical cannabis use, side effects, and sources of information by authorization status were determined via t-tests and chi-squared analysis.ResultsA total of 5433 individuals who were currently taking cannabis for therapeutic purposes completed the study, of which 2941 (54.1%) currently held medical authorization. Individuals with authorization were more likely to be older (OR ≥ 70 years vs. < 30 years, 4.85 (95% CI, 3.49–6.76)), identify as a man (OR man vs. woman, 1.53 (1.34–1.74)), have a higher income (OR > $100,000/year vs. < $50,000 year, 1.55 (1.30–1.84)), and less likely to live in a small town (OR small town/rural vs. large city, 0.69 (0.59–0.81)). They were significantly more likely to report not experiencing any side effects (29.9% vs. 23.4%; p < 0.001), knowing the amount of cannabis they were taking (32.1% vs. 17.7%; p < 0.001), obtaining cannabis from regulated sources (74.1% vs. 47.5%; p < 0.001), and seeking information about medical cannabis from healthcare professionals (67.8% vs. 48.2%; p < 0.01) than individuals without authorization.ConclusionsThese findings offer insight into the possible issues regarding equitable access to medical cannabis and how authorization may support and influence individuals in a jurisdiction where recreational cannabis is legalized, highlighting the value of a formal medical cannabis authorization process.