Pulmonologists drove social media conversations among healthcare professionals during the CHEST Annual Meeting in Boston this year, according to new research by Creation Healthcare.
Healthcare professionals in the specialty dominated proceedings compared to peers, with more than 100 individual HCPs contributing over 700 posts during the conference.
HCPs of other specialties were also active during CHEST, though. Oncologists ranked the second-most active in online conversation throughout the conference, posting more than 200 times, while pediatricians, cardiologists and internists were also proactively engaged in online discussions.
The findings were compiled by leading digital insights consultancy Creation Healthcare, who listened to the conversations of over 400 HCPs engaged in online discussions related to CHEST both in the run up to and during the conference. In total, this materialized in 2,875 individual posts.
HCPs’ online conversations during CHEST
According to the study, HCPs actively engaged in online conversations in the days leading up to CHEST, expressing excitement and anticipation for what the meeting would offer.
When the conference opened on October 6, the volume of conversation among healthcare professionals grew rapidly. HCPs shared a variety of sessions, including President Jack Buckley’s opening session, and Dr Vanessa Kerry’s keynote talk on the “vital role” that pulmonary and critical care clinicians can play in response to the climate crisis.
A post by Chris Carroll, MD, about Dr Kerry’s speech was shared by seven HCPs on X, while a post by Viren Kaul, MD, referencing Dr Buckley’s session was shared online by nine HCPs.
On the second day of the CHEST Annual Meeting, October 7, Creation Healthcare’s study found that HCPs shared a variety of posts. Some referred to engagement in interactive sessions and meeting colleagues and peers, while others shared details of advancements in pulmonary care.
As the conference wrapped up on October 9, HCPs used social media to share photos from a variety of sessions delivered at the meeting, and posted about moments with colleagues.
Most active HCPs during CHEST
As part of their investigation, Creation Healthcare were also able to identify the most active HCPs on social media during the CHEST Annual Meeting.
Topping the list was Mumbai-based pulmonologist Sarang Patil, MD, who shared a total of 239 posts during the conference. The potential reach of these posts (the sum of the followers of the author, plus the sum of the followers of each repost) stood at 537,732. The second most-active HCP was Saadia A. Faiz, MD, pulmonologist at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas. Though posting less than Sarang Patil (175 times), Faiz’s potential reach on posts stood far higher – at 1,980,923. Faiz’s posts in the run up to and during the CHEST Annual Meeting were amplified by 44 HCPs.
Following this trend, the third most active HCP, Minnesota-based pulmonologist Alice Gallo, MD, posted 155 times during CHEST, and had a potential reach of 2,394,249. Gallo’s posts were amplified by 38 fellow HCPs.
The conference was one of international reach. Alongside Sarang Patil, MD, Nicaraguan medical internist Jorge Miranda also featured among the most active HCPs during the conference, posting 90 times with a potential reach of 406,886.
Commenting on the research, Creation Healthcare’s CEO, Daniel Ghinn, said:
“The CHEST Annual Meeting was once again an example of the prominent role that social media plays in facilitating discussions among healthcare professionals relating to the most recent developments in healthcare.
“Social media, particularly X, continues to prove the platform of choice for HCPs wishing to share the latest developments in research, discuss treatments, and network with peers.
“Listening to these conversations is immensely valuable in identifying and understanding the priorities of those on the frontlines of delivery in the most important healthcare spaces.”
