By Adam Doggett 
COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact throughout the health industry and has become a notable consideration in the care and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. In an uncertain climate, healthcare professionals (HCPs) are joining together online to ask questions and share knowledge with peers.
Under the banner Nephrology Jrnl Club and using the hashtag #NephJC, nephrologists are stimulating conversation and sharing experiences from all over the world.
What about the link between NSAIDs and COVID19?
There are rumors floating around of patients being on NSAIDs having more severe disease compared to acetaminophen/paracetamol. The theory again follows an effect on ACE2.#NephJC— Nephrology Journal Club (@NephJC) March 18, 2020
No authentic evidence yet. I will continue using NSAID cautiously as I always do to save kidneys #COVID19
— Dr. Divya Bajpai 🇮🇳 (@divyaa24) March 18, 2020
HCPs are taking the opportunity to solve unanswered questions.
If hydroxychloroquine reduces viral load faster, can we give it to all immunosuppressed people for the next few months? #NephJC
— Alex Riding (@RidingAlex) March 18, 2020
At this time it is even more important than usual that we rely on evidence, we keep communicating and we collate the data #nephjc
— Nephrology Journal Club (@NephJC) March 18, 2020
At designated times, they gather virtually to discuss specific nephrology issues during #nephjc ‘Twitter chats’. With the current focus on COVID-19, #nephjc Twitter chats have provided timely information to nephrologists around the world.
The US #nephjc #COVID19 chat was off the hook but the Asia and Euro chats are coming up. Join us at 9pm IST/GMT or 8am in Melbourne. @KidneyHealth @pauldlawton @SwastiThinks @kidney_tom @KidneyLoren @sbwil91 @HaleKidney @kidgenaustralia @RCHMelbourne https://t.co/ffaEkD2Q9M
— Cathy Quinlan @CathyQuinlan.bsky.social (@KidneyCathy) March 18, 2020
While focusing on a particular country or continent, #nephjc chats promote global collaboration, with HCPs in the US interacting with peers in Europe, India and Australia during a US-based Twitter chat.
Nephrologists are not the only HCP specialism discussing how COVID-19 affects the way they care for their patients. Surgical (#covid19surgery), midwifery (#covidmaternity) and rheumatology (#covid4rheum) staff are among those who are using COVID-specific hashtags to share their learnings with colleagues around the world.
CREATION.co has been tracking the online HCP conversation relating to coronavirus since the start of the outbreak and is committed to supporting healthcare stakeholders globally. For more discussion about this research, and advice for health communicators in pharmaceutical companies during COVID-19 pandemic, see our webinar: Coronavirus Digital Communication Strategies for pharma.
