Social Medi(a)cine: Use of a social media group for medical advice and education post covid-19

BACKGROUND: ‘Ask an M.D’ is a private Facebook group, created in 2018, which grew dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic, now serving over 52,000 members. It is a platform for asking medical questions, answered pro-bono, by about 180 physicians and pharmacists. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was posted on the group's page, inquiring about members’ demographics, consultation topics, scope of group's usage, and their reasons for using it. We also collected administrative data, tracking posts’ distribution over time, engagement in posts written by others and members’ demographics. RESULTS: The group grew from 5,000 to 19,000 members between 9.2019 and 9.2020. It now features 4,800 posts, 30,000 written responses, and 55,000 reactions yearly. 19,000 members viewed the questionnaire and 920 (∼5%) answered it. Respondents’ mean age was 37(18-70), 85% female and 18% live in the county's periphery. An overwhelming 66% had an academic degree. Only 1% did not finish high school. 61.5% ever consulted the group (36% once a year while 60% 2-5 times a year). Common fields of consultation were OBGYN (20%), Pediatrics (15%) and Dermatology (11%). 99% of respondents read other members’ consultations in the group. Reasons for using the group in last consultation were seeking second opinion (36%); long scheduled appointment (34%); sense of urgency (28%); 8.5% didn't know whom to consult, 7% were embarrassed of their doctor and 4% didn't understanding their doctors’ explanations. CONCLUSIONS: Covid-19 emphasized the need for an available and reliable online source of medical consultation. Yet, a gap in access to medical information and consultation still exists and should not be viewed as a circumstantial occurrence. ‘Ask an M.D''s impact goes beyond mere individual consultations, as most members read others’ public consultations in addition to their own. Lack of online literacy serves as a barrier to usage of this type of tool among the less educated. These are preliminary results. KEY MESSAGES: • Reliable and accessible professional consultation on social media platforms is a timely and important health promotion tool. • Utilization of such platforms should be embraced and encouraged, while striving to heighten online literacy and use amongst less educated groups.