The opportunities and challenges of social media in interstitial lung disease: a viewpoint

• Published in: Respiratory research Vol. 22; no. 1; p. 247
• Main Authors: Grewal, Japnam S, Kawano-Dourado, Leticia, Ryerson, Christopher J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 17.09.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Communication; COVID-19; Digital media; Health aspects; Health care; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel - psychology; Health Personnel - standards; Health Personnel - trends; Health policy; Humans; Information dissemination; Interstitial lung disease; Lung diseases; Lung diseases, Interstitial; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - diagnosis; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - psychology; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - therapy; Medical education; Medical personnel; Patient Participation - psychology; Patient Participation - trends; Patients; Pulmonary fibrosis; Review; Social media; Social Media - standards; Social Media - trends; Social networks; Technology application; Websites; Canada; Medical education; Health policy; Pulmonary fibrosis; Interstitial lung disease; Social media
• ISSN: 1465-993X; 1465-9921; 1465-993X; 1465-9921
• DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01843-4

Social media is an increasingly popular source of health information, and the rarity and complexity of interstitial lung disease (ILD) may particularly draw patients with ILD to social media for information and support. The objective of this viewpoint is to provide an overview of social media, explore the benefits and limitations of ILD-related social media use, and discuss future development of healthcare information on social media. We describe the value of integrating social media into the practice of ILD health professionals, including its role in information dissemination, patient engagement, knowledge generation, and formation of health policy. We also describe major challenges to expanded social media use in ILD, including limited access for some individuals and populations, abundance of misinformation, and concerns about patient privacy. Finally, for healthcare professionals looking to join social media, we provide practical guidance and considerations to optimize the potential benefits and minimize the potential pitfalls of social media.