https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32504611/

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

- Misinformation often occurs during the pandemic and leads to negative consequences.

- Social media can be a useful tool that provides opportunities to disseminate and receive relevant information for patients, clinicians and scientists.

- Better research methods and proper use of these platforms by health scientists and the public are warranted to address social media’s role in health policy and individual decisions. A multi-disciplinary approach with better outreach and dissemination is optimal.

Highlights from Cuello-Garcia's commentary

A total of 112 representative original articles were randomized 1:1 to be tweeted via The Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network (TSSMN) or a control (non-tweeted) group. Measurements included citations at 1-year compared to baseline, as well as article-level metrics (Altmetric score) and Twitter analytics. Independent predictors of citations were identified through univariable and multivariable regression analyses.

Methods for study linked in tweet about social media impact on number of citations on a paper

Graph showing results of Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network Randomized Prospective Social Media Trial

In the TSSMN randomized trial, tweeted articles showed significantly greater increases than non-tweeted controls in: Altmetric score (9.4±5.8 vs. 1.0±1.8, p<0.001), Altmetric score percentile relative to same-journal articles of similar age (76.0±9.1%ile vs. 13.8±22.7%ile, p<0.001), and change in citations at 1 year (+3.1±2.4 vs. +0.7±1.3, p<0.001). Multivariable analysis identified independent predictors of citation growth: randomization to tweeting (OR 9.50, 95% CI 3.30-27.35, p<0.001), Altmetric score (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.15-1.50, p<0.001), open-access status (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.21-1.78, p<0.001), and number of Twitter impressions (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.10-1.49, p<0.001).

TSSMN Randomized Trial Results: Tweeted Articles Achieve Higher Altmetric Scores and Citation Growth

https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S08954356(20)306521/fulltext

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