By Mark Sullivan 
Each month, CREATION.co’s respiratory tracking update brings you the latest insights into the online UK healthcare professional (HCP) conversation regarding respiratory disease.
The conversation level of UK HCPs discussing respiratory disease on Twitter
This month between October and November, the activity of UK HCPs discussing respiratory disease online decreased to 3,977 mentions following last month’s high number of posts. However, the 132 average daily respiratory posts was still significantly higher than the 2021 (January to October) daily average of 109 respiratory posts. Non COVID-19 related conversation continued to be discussed far more regularly than COVID-19 related conversation by UK HCPs.
The latest respiratory disease insights from UK HCPs online
HCP conversation towards the end of the month focused on World COPD Day 2021, which is organised by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patient groups throughout the world.
This year the awareness day was held on 17 November with the theme being “Healthy Lungs – Never More Important”. Professor of Respiratory Medicine John Hurst raised awareness for the event, and the national COPD policy action plan.
Today also sees the launch of a 🇬🇧 National COPD Policy Action Plan, a collaboration across @lunguk @PCRSUK @ARNS_UK @NPA1921 @TheACPRC and with the support of @AstraZeneca – available on all the websites at the link 👇🏻:#worldcopdday https://t.co/dIcbJtSi6m https://t.co/hWjtINUjnh pic.twitter.com/GbaXCPwJVT
— John Hurst (@ProfHurst) November 17, 2021
As well as World COPD day focusing on the importance of healthy lungs, UK HCPs, such as Adam Lewis, also brought attention to a paper published earlier in the month focusing on the physiology of singing and the implications for ‘Singing for Lung Health’ as a therapy for individuals with COPD. Additionally, Nick Hopkinson gave prominence to the Children’s charter for lung health which was launched at the end of October by Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation, to guide policy development and action in lung health.
The Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation partnership launch their Children’s Charter for Lung Health.
"Every child and young person has the right to breathe clean air, with healthy lungs."https://t.co/WQHr3fXX8a @ThoraxBMJ @asthmauk @lunguk 1/n pic.twitter.com/FHQqBCIrq8— Dr Nick Hopkinson (@COPDdoc) October 28, 2021
Whilst the majority of conversation this month focused on COPD, it was COVID-19 related conversation which generated the largest number of shares from UK HCPs. Four of the top five UK HCP shared posts in the respiratory online space were regarding COVID-19. The most shared post by UK HCPs was authored by Respiratory tracker regular Trisha Greenhalgh, who shared news that N95 masks are found to be more effective than surgical masks in stopping the spread of airborne diseases.
All Health Care Workers should be wearing N95 or equivalent high-grade respiratory protection when dealing with possible Covid patients. https://t.co/2yOIGLUIrs
— Trisha Greenhalgh (@trishgreenhalgh) November 1, 2021
Finally, UK HCPs reacted negatively to a post from The Telegraph, which seemed to cause offence to many by the lack of sensitivity regarding COVID-19 largely impacting children with underlying health conditions. HCPs including Frances Ryan shared their thoughts on the matter with many echoing her thoughts.
Each month, we track the HCP conversation relating to respiratory disease.
You can keep up to date with this and other pharmaceutical tracking updates, including COVID-19 developments, within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights.
If you would like to dig deeper into what we have seen this month then please do get in touch.
Methodology
- This article analysed the Twitter conversations of HCPs in the UK discussing respiratory disease and related terms between 21 October and 20 November 2021 using CREATION Pinpoint®.
- Between 21 October and 20 November 2021, there were 3,977 UK HCP mentions of respiratory disease and related terms, from 1,861 unique UK HCP authors.
