By Laura Marsh 
Each month, CREATION.co’s respiratory tracking update brings you the latest insights into the online UK healthcare professional (HCP) conversation regarding respiratory disease. You can find the most up to date insights, and the archive, on our Respiratory Tracker landing page.
This month between January and February, UK HCPs were more actively discussing respiratory disease online than in previous months, particularly nearing the end of the data period. The volume of COVID-19 related conversation amongst UK HCPs in respiratory disease fell to below half the total conversation on any given day for the first time since September.
HCP conversation towards the end of the month focused on the British Thoracic Society (BTS) Winter Meeting, which ran virtually from 17-19 February. Using the hashtag #BTSwinter, HCPs engaged in online discussions and congratulated the organisers on excellent content, but said they missed the social networking of an in-person event.
Excellent talks. Thanks to the presenters and the chairs. Thoroughly enjoying the talks, comments but missing the social networking. #BTSWinter #RespIsBest #AECOPD #COPD @bolton_char @nickydlane pic.twitter.com/1s0TNEVzoM
— Sudeep Shrestha, MD ???????????????? (@DrSudeepStha) February 17, 2021
A key discussion focus for HCPs during the conference was the critical state of the respiratory workforce which is left in crisis every winter due to increased pressures alongside staffing shortages. This included conversations about the importance of Respiratory Support Units (RSUs) during the pandemic and beyond. 23 UK HCPs shared this post from @BTSrespiratory calling for RSUs to be “officially recognised, supported and adequately funded” in all NHS hospitals.
BTS is calling for Respiratory Support Units to be officially recognised, supported and adequately funded across the NHS. Read our release at https://t.co/ukHqw1Yh5a pic.twitter.com/iKv8DbjFaA
— BTS (@BTSrespiratory) February 17, 2021
Each month, we track the HCP conversation relating to respiratory disease and this month we have seen UK HCPs using Twitter to engage with professional organisations in the space.
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 2021,, using CREATION Pinpoint®.
- Between 21 January and 20 February 2021, there were 4,716 UK HCP mentions of respiratory disease and related terms, from 2,070 unique UK HCP authors.
