Uses and Perspectives of Social Media in Pediatric Orthopedics: A Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Yao Jinghui , Chen Yun , Ouyang Hui , Lin Gan , Li Yating , Peng Yichao , Zhong Hongyu , Gao Zijun 
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the demand for health knowledge about pediatric orthopedics is also gradually growing. The traditional paper-based and multimedia health education models can no longer fully meet the needs of society. Fortunately, the emergence of social media has solved the problem of insufficient medical resources. However, there is currently relatively little published evidence on the use of social media in pediatric orthopedics.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to explore the current usage of social media in the field of pediatric orthopedics through the scoping review methods and provide theoretical guidance for health education and chronic disease management. Its purpose is to provide relevant evidence to promote understanding and development of the field.

METHODS

This review will follow the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer Manual. First, a literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The search time range is from the establishment of the database to September 21, 2023. We endeavored to include in the review research articles related to social media and involving pediatric orthopedics and screened them by exclusion criteria. The literature will be reviewed at title, abstract, and full-text levels.

RESULTS

We included 35 studies out of 3400 citations retrieved. About (42.86% [15/35]) of these studies analyzed content quality, such as the quality of disease-specific video content. Secondly, (14.29% [5/35]) of studies used social media for telemedicine, (8.57% [3/35]) conducted content status surveys, and (8.57% [3/35]) conducted disease awareness surveys. This study analyzes the use of medical social media in pediatric orthopedics from the perspectives of medical institutions, medical personnel, and the public. Most articles use social media to help patients learn relevant knowledge (65.71% [23/35]) and for information dissemination in medical institutions (60.00% [21/35]). Secondly, social media is widely used to promote doctor-patient communication (25.71% [9/35]), communicating feelings (25.71% [9/35]), and helping medical staff collect data (22.86% [8/35]). According to research data, people are increasingly interested in pediatric orthopedics on social media platforms and are eager to obtain and learn relevant knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found that social media has been widely used in all aspects of medical institutions, medical personnel, and the public, playing an irreplaceable role in the scientific education of pediatric orthopedics and the dissemination of health knowledge. It is difficult for ordinary children’s parents or the general public to identify the accuracy and reliability of pediatric orthopedics information in social media. The correct use of social media to obtain pediatric orthopedics information requires professional guidance and social support. Based on learning disease-related knowledge, focus on mastering disease prevention knowledge.