A Social Network Analysis of Twitter Data Related to Blood Clots and Vaccines

After the first weeks of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, several cases of acute thrombosis were reported. These news reports began to be shared frequently across social media platforms. The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis of Twitter data related to the overall discussion. The data were retrieved from 14 March to 14 April 2021 using the keyword ‘blood clots’. A dataset with n = 266,677 tweets was retrieved, and a systematic random sample of 5% of tweets (n = 13,334) was entered into NodeXL for further analysis. Social network analysis was used to analyse the data by drawing upon the Clauset–Newman–Moore algorithm. Influential users were identified by drawing upon the betweenness centrality measure. Text analysis was applied to identify the key hashtags and websites used at this time. More than half of the network comprised retweets, and the largest groups within the network were broadcast clusters in which a number of key users were retweeted. The most popular narratives involved highlighting the low risk of obtaining a blood clot from a vaccine and highlighting that a number of commonly consumed medicine have higher blood clot risks. A wide variety of users drove the discussion on Twitter, including writers, physicians, the general public, academics, celebrities, and journalists. Twitter was used to highlight the low potential of developing a blood clot from vaccines, and users on Twitter encouraged vaccinations among the public

COVID-19 and the 5G conspiracy theory: social network analysis of twitter data

Background: Since the beginning of December 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, which has led to increased discussions across online platforms. These conversations have also included various conspiracies shared by social media users. Amongst them, a popular theory has linked 5G to the spread of COVID-19, leading to misinformation and the burning of 5G towers in the United Kingdom. The understanding of the drivers of fake news and quick policies oriented to isolate and rebate misinformation are keys to combating it. Objective: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of the drivers of the 5G COVID-19 conspiracy theory and strategies to deal with such misinformation. Methods: This paper performs a social network analysis and content analysis of Twitter data from a 7-day period (Friday, March 27, 2020, to Saturday, April 4, 2020) in which the #5GCoronavirus hashtag was trending on Twitter in the United Kingdom. Influential users were analyzed through social network graph clusters. The size of the nodes were ranked by their betweenness centrality score, and the graph's vertices were grouped by cluster using the Clauset-Newman-Moore algorithm. The topics and web sources used were also examined. Results: Social network analysis identified that the two largest network structures consisted of an isolates group and a broadcast group. The analysis also revealed that there was a lack of an authority figure who was actively combating such misinformation. Content analysis revealed that, of 233 sample tweets, 34.8% (n=81) contained views that 5G and COVID-19 were linked, 32.2% (n=75) denounced the conspiracy theory, and 33.0% (n=77) were general tweets not expressing any personal views or opinions. Thus, 65.2% (n=152) of tweets derived from nonconspiracy theory supporters, which suggests that, although the topic attracted high volume, only a handful of users genuinely believed the conspiracy. This paper also shows that fake news websites were the most popular web source shared by users; although, YouTube videos were also shared. The study also identified an account whose sole aim was to spread the conspiracy theory on Twitter. Conclusions: The combination of quick and targeted interventions oriented to delegitimize the sources of fake information is key to reducing their impact. Those users voicing their views against the conspiracy theory, link baiting, or sharing humorous tweets inadvertently raised the profile of the topic, suggesting that policymakers should insist in the efforts of isolating opinions that are based on fake news. Many social media platforms provide users with the ability to report inappropriate content, which should be used. This study is the first to analyze the 5G conspiracy theory in the context of COVID-19 on Twitter offering practical guidance to health authorities in how, in the context of a pandemic, rumors may be combated in the future

Rural-urban differences in the pattern of referrals to an asynchronous teledermatology service

Background Telemedicine is particularly useful in rural areas where can facilitate access to specialised care in regions far from urban hospitals and can prevent unnecessary travel. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the degree of resolution of an asynchronous teledermatology service in the Bages County, comparing urban and rural primary care centres. Methods and findings A longitudinal descriptive study of referrals from 14 Primary Care Teams to a hospital dermatology service as a result of a previous referral to a teledermatology program was performed, comparing years 2015 and 2016 and urban with rural practices. Both in urban and rural areas there was an increase in referrals to the teledermatology service in 2016 compared to the previous year (12.9% and 0.3% respectively). In the two years analysed, referral rates to the teledermatology service per thousand inhabitants from rural centres was statistically much higher than that of urban centres (p<0.001). The number of referrals to the face-to-face dermatology service after a teledermatology consultation decreased significantly in both urban [OR=0,81 (0,70-0,93) p=0,001] and rural centres [OR=0,64 (0,57-0,72) p<0,001]. Conclusions The asynchronous teledermatology service established in the Bages County increases the resolution of primary care teams as reduces referrals to the face-to-face dermatology service. This effect is more pronounced in rural than in urban areas. Such finding may indicate the need to prioritize telemedicine services in rural primary care practices

The experiences of patients with diabetes and strategies for their management during the frst COVID-19 lockdown: a qualitative study

Background: During the pandemic, primary care systems prioritised attention to COVID-19 patients; chronically ill patients, such as people with Type 2 Diabetes were obliged to take more responsibility for their own care. We aimed to analyse the experiences of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus during the stay-at-home order that was in place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the strategies and resources used in managing their care. Method: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study. The participants were ten patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who experienced strict lockdown during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Catalonia, Spain, selected using intentional sampling. We recorded semi-structured interviews with the participants and conducted thematic analysis. Results: We identified 14 subthemes, which we then grouped into three overarching themes: 1) anxiety, fear, and vulnerability (anxiety, fear, vulnerability, rethinking life, loneliness, sadness), 2) insufficient diabetes monitoring by the health system (health care received, glycaemic control, view of treatment by health providers) and proactive self-care (changes in daily routine, diet, physical activity, medication, personal protective equipment & social distancing). Conclusion: Despite the exceptional nature of the situation and the stress, worry, and changes in their daily lives, many respondents reported that they had successfully modified their lifestyles. Self-care was effective during confinement and was based on a process of adaptation using the resources available, without face-to-face contact with primary care health staff. Relevance to clinical practice: These results can help to guide the design and implementation of self-care-focused strategies and also to explore new ways of empowering patients without access to health care personnel

Contextualising the 2019 E-Cigarette Health Scare: Insights from Twitter

A health scare can be described as a campaign that attempts to alert the public of a particular substance or activity that can lead to a negative effect on health. A recent health scare to emerge relates to the health hazards associated with the use of e-cigarettes, which has caused widespread debate, which peaked towards the end of 2019. Health scares need to be studied in the context in which they occur, and one method of studying them is through social media. This paper identifies two key topics of discussion on Twitter, which consisted of pro-vaping and anti-vaping views. The paper then identifies influential users, frequently occurring words, hashtags, and websites related to this time period in order to gain insight into e-cigarette perceptions. The paper then reviews current scientific evidence and develops a flowchart for the general public, which can be used to for public reassurance and guidanc

Survey of general practitioners’ awareness, practice and perception of social prescribing across Europe

Background: Social prescribing (SP) is a patient pathway by which healthcare professionals connect patients with other sources of support, groups, or activities within their community. The awareness, practice, and perception of SP among GPs across Europe remains unclear.Objectives: To explore the awareness, practice, and perception of GPs on SP in the WONCA Europe region.Methods: An anonymous, cross-sectional online survey was distributed through a snowballing system, mailing lists, and at three international conferences in 2022/2023 to explore GPs’ awareness, practice, and perception of SP. The questionnaire in English contained 21 open and closed questions.Results: Of the 208 participating GPs from 33 countries, 116 (56%) previously heard of ‘social prescribing’ and 66 (32%) regularly referred patients to community activities through a formal system. These 66 GPs reported different funding sources and varied activities, with an average of four activities and physical exercise being the most prevalent. Among them, 25 (38%) knew about national or local SP awareness campaigns. Of these 25, 17 (68%) agreed that SP increases their job satisfaction and 21 (84%) agreed that it has a positive impact on their patients. Variations in SP awareness and referral practice were evident across and within countries.Conclusion: Despite disparities in awareness and referral practice as well as a diversity of activities and funding sources, most GPs who actively referred patients and were informed about SP campaigns agreed that SP positively impacts them and their patients

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Validation of the Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS) into Spanish and Catalan

The Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS) explores the factors that bolster and interfere with developing and maintaining a positive body image during adolescence. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the PBIAS into Spanish and Catalan. A cross-sectional study was conducted for the instrument's translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation. A process of translation, back-translation, expert consultation, and piloting was followed. The reliability and statistical validity were evaluated. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 in both the Spanish and Catalan versions. Pearson's correlation coefficients were statistically significant (r > 0.087) for all items analyzed. The resulting values of the Spanish and Catalan versions indicate a good level of concordance (p < 0.001) with the original questionnaire, the comparative fit index being 0.914 and 0.913, the Tucker-Lewis index being 0.893 and 0.892, the root mean square error of approximation being 1.31 and 1.28, and the standardized root mean square residual being 0.051 and 0.060, respectively. The instrument presents a good level of internal consistency, a high level of reliability, and statistical validity compared to the original instrument. The PBIAS in Spanish and Catalan can be a useful assessment instrument for educators and health professionals in the context of adolescent mental health literacy. This work contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 3) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda

Social prescribing and lifestyle medicine—a remedy to chronic health problems?

Social prescribing has been identified as a chance to take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing, especially for people with one or more long-term conditions. Its systemic implementation was a part of the recent United Kingdom National Health Service Long Term Plan. With a lifestyle medicine focus on equipping patients in tools necessary for self-care and self-management of their lifestyle-related health problems that coexists with the need for creating an environment supporting healthy choices, a social prescribing model seems to offer a promising strategy for advancing lifestyle medicine. This idea was discussed during a meeting hosted by the Polish Society of Lifestyle Medicine in collaboration with European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association, Polish Society of Young Family Doctors (“Młodzi Lekarze Rodzinni”), British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and European Lifestyle Medicine Council in June 2020. The aftermath—this position statement is an Authors’ attempt at summarizing the common ground for social prescribing and lifestyle medicine. It collects experiences of practitioners and researchers from five European countries as well as making recommendations for applying this model in Poland. Despite referring to local conditions, it might provide universal takeaway messages for any healthcare providers interested in combining social prescribing with lifestyle medicine practice