School of Podiatric Medicine - Medical Student Research

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Objective: The intent of this study is to conduct a Narrative review of the Public Perceptions of Peripheral Nerve Surgery on Social Media.

Introduction: Peripheral nerve surgery is an effective therapeutic modality for difficult diagnoses such as peripheral neuropathy, neuromas, and complex regional pain syndrome. This study aims to explore public perceptions of peripheral nerve surgery on Instagram, a popular social media site. Information on posts such as authorship, relevance, accuracy, and purpose were collected. Conclusions from this study may direct efforts to enhance medical advice and improve patient education for extremity nerve surgeons.

Methods: Searches were conducted in September 2024 - October 2024 using a new account on Instagram. This search identified the top 25 public posts for the term "Peripheral Nerve Surgery." Likes and comments were measured. Post relevance, type, authorship, and accuracy aligning with Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons (AENS) Clinical Practice Guidelines v. 2.0 were considered. Instagram posts dispensing medical advice or education were evaluated for understandability and actionability with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT).

Results: Results from Instagram indicate that most posts are from businesses (62%), trailed by medical personnel (30%) and laypersons (8%). Overall accuracy was 92% in compliance with AENS Clinical Practice Guidelines, though relevance to peripheral nerve surgery specifically was 69%. Educational posts by businesses had average PEMAT understandability of 37% and actionability of 0%, while educational posts by medical personnel had average PEMAT understandability of 79% and actionability of 33%.

Conclusions: Instagram posts relating to peripheral nerve surgery are typically advertisements by businesses. These posts lack clear understandability and actionability and may not effectively represent the benefits of peripheral nerve surgery to laypersons. Curating the public perception of peripheral nerve surgery to laypeople may enhance the quality of medical advice and improve patient education for extremity nerve surgeons. Future lines of inquiry may include other social media sites, larger quantities of data, and more granular values within posts.

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