By Mark Sullivan 
Each month, CREATION.co’s respiratory tracking update brings you the latest insights into the online UK healthcare professional (eHCP) conversation regarding respiratory disease.
Between 21 January and 20 February 2023, CREATION Pinpoint® identified 2,230 UK eHCP posts discussing respiratory diseases. These were authored by 1,187 UK eHCPs. The online activity of UK eHCPs discussing respiratory diseases this month decreased from 2,799 posts last month, which was a drop of 20%. The conversation only exceeded the previous average daily level of conversation on 17 February, when 19 eHCPs responded to a call for COPD patients to participate in a survey from Edinburgh Napier University.
The most active eHCP this month was Stephen Griffin, a virologist who posted 28 times about respiratory disease. He often engaged with the public who had questions about the immune response to COVID-19. These included the long-term impact of avoiding respiratory infection, and the needs of immunocompromised patients.
As we move out of winter in the northern hemisphere, eHCPs are starting to note the ‘good news’ that ‘flu and RSV are on the wane’. One paediatrician commented that levels of flu, RSV and other respiratory diseases have reached pre-COVID-19 levels and suggests that ‘the lockdown affect may be behind us.’ A post that was shared by 10 eHCPs in the UK highlighted to the public that because RSV and flu numbers are declining, if people have cold or flu symptoms at the moment, it is likely to be COVID-19.
A REMINDER:
Flu & RSV (nasty cold virus) have been low for weeks now. Rhinovirus (causing a cold) had a Jan peak but is falling fast.
Covid is going up!
So – IF YOU HAVE COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS IT'S LIKELY TO BE COVID!Certainly much more likely than flu or RSV. pic.twitter.com/ExC2Z3lmyN
— Prof. Christina Pagel 🇺🇦 (@chrischirp) February 17, 2023
Within the RSV conversation, eHCPs showed a particular interest in the HARMONIE trial, a ‘fantastic study’ that is testing the efficacy of a single antibody dose of an RSV vaccine for babies. 20% of RSV posts mentioned this trial. eHCPs encouraged parents to enrol their babies in the trial and shared that they had done the same, expressing gratitude that their baby had been vaccinated.
Fantastic study aiming to prevent RSV in babies under 1 year of age @BHTResearch @BucksHealthcare @karenabonner2 @BeddallHeidi https://t.co/Zlh2lQD6av
— Julie Tebbutt 💙 (@julestebbutt) January 24, 2023
The most discussed respiratory disease this month was asthma (followed by COVID-19 and COPD), which was mentioned in 29% of posts. Several asthma-related posts touched on environmental issues. 13 eHCPs supported the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in London, often sharing an article from the Evening Standard that highlighted the impact of pollution in London on asthma in children. They picked up on the Mayor of London’s claim that the expansion will reduce pollution related deaths by 4,000 a year. Two eHCPs shared member of parliament Geraint Davies’ post criticising the Environment Secretary for delaying implementation of World Health Organization air quality standards, which he said would result in thousands more deaths and ‘millions more asthma attacks.’
Expand Ulez ‘as soon as possible’ in LDN, says global respiratory hlth expert @ERGImperial 's #FrankKelly : it has hlth benefits 4 everybody https://t.co/oQvi0lzFHb via @RossLydall
— Ash Paul (@pash22) February 18, 2023
Other eHCPs used Twitter to educate their peers about asthma medication. They shared guidelines, journal articles and the occasional “hack” for administration of medication. The most shared post by (33) other UK eHCPs in the respiratory disease conversation was Sam Goodhand’s post that shared his hack for using a syringe and an inhaler to administer salbutamol.
Surprised how few people know this little “hack” for giving salbutamol down your asthmatic or COPD patient’s ET tube… 🫁
All you need is a 50ml syringe & their inhaler (disclosure – not my idea!)#medtwitter pic.twitter.com/7VbQ9ueqlm
— Sam Goodhand (@SamGoodhand) February 10, 2023
Each month, we track the eHCP 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 January and 20 February 2023 using CREATION Pinpoint®.
- Between 21 January and 20 February 2023, there were 2,230 UK eHCP mentions of respiratory disease and related terms, from 1,187 unique UK eHCP authors.
The UK Respiratory tracker archive
Jan 2023: eHCPs focus on paediatric cases
Dec 2022: HCPs advocate for Advanced Practitioners and COVID readiness
Sept 2022: Climate crisis = Health crisis, HCPs share their opinions at ERS 2022
Aug 2022: HCPs discuss the carbon impact of inhalers and thunderstorm asthma
July 2022: HCPs look forward to the COVID-19 booster and flu jab
June 2022: HCPs discuss Clean Air Day and react to Chris Whitty’s concern for young smokers
May 2022: Can you put a price on asthma care? UK HCPs discuss all on World Asthma Day
April 2022: UK HCPs stress COVID-19 is not finished yet
March 2022: UK HCPs welcome new Asthma and Lung UK charity and highlight unmet needs
February 2022: UK HCPs shared findings of the relationship between deprivation and asthma admissions
January 2022: HCPs shared how to prevent and control seasonal respiratory infections
December 2021: UK HCPs engaged in the British Thoracic Society’s 2021 Winter meeting
November 2021: Healthy lungs have never been more important to UK HCPs
October 2021: UK HCPs agree with 3 key messages of NHS campaign #AskAboutAsthma
September 2021: UK HCPs voice concern as cigarette company takes more control of UK inhaler market
August 2021: UK HCPs Debate The Comparisons Drawn Between COVID-19 And Other Viruses
July 2021: UK HCPS debate the impact of “Freedom Day
June 2021: UK HCPs rally behind their peers and others warn of ‘Thunderstorm Asthma’
May 2021: UK HCPs discuss inhaler technique on world asthma day
April 2021: UK HCPs celebrate positive trial for asthma drug used in COVID-19 patients
March 2021: UK HCPs share scientific research in COPD and encourage peer participation in surveys
February 2021: UK HCPs call for roll out of Respiratory Support Units at virtual BTS Winter Meeting
January 2021: UK HCPs use blue heart 💙 to show support for frontline respiratory healthcare workers
December 2020: UK HCPs engage with new COVID-19 respiratory support guidance from BTS and ICS
November 2020: UK HCPs celebrated new COPD patient charter on World COPD Day
October 2020: Virtual medical conferences drive online conversation in respiratory disease
September 2020: Respiratory conversation increased throughout month as HCPs #AskAboutAsthma
August 2020: In the absence of external developments, UK HCP interest in COVID-19 depletes
July 2020: UK doctors dismiss claims that masks limit oxygen intake for respiratory patients
June 2020: UK HCPs praise NHS trial enrolment that led to Dexamethasone approval for COVID-19
May 2020: UK HCPs celebrate NHS staff and give advice to patients on World Asthma Day
April 2020: UK HCPs protect peers and patients by responding to misinformation
March 2020: UK HCPs continue to educate on the coronavirus
February 2020: HCPs consistently engaged with Asthma UK throughout Jan 2020
January 2020: UK HCPs discuss #WORLDCOPDDAY and #BTSWINTER2019
December 2019: UK HCPs slam BBC news article on asthma carbon footprint
November 2019: HCPS encourage patients to #AskAboutAsthma
