28.04.2022
By Victoria Donougher
The environmental impact of respiratory care has contributed to a significant increase in the online conversations among healthcare professionals (HCPs) surrounding today’s World Asthma Day 2022, a new study reveals.
Ongoing research by specialist digital insights consultancy, Creation Healthcare, into online mentions of respiratory illnesses by HCPs saw a 15 per cent increase to 2,578 posts between 21 March and 20 April compared to the previous month (21 February – 20 March). Meanwhile, the number of HCPs participating in the debate increased by 16 per cent to 1,329.
Growth was driven by a range of topics, including the environmental impact of respiratory care as well as discussion among healthcare professionals surrounding new PPE guidance.
The findings were based on the analysis of HCP Twitter conversations in the UK discussing respiratory disease and related terms between 21 March and 20 April 2022 using CREATION Pinpoint®.
The launch of the new website for Greener Practice contributed to a rise in the discussion of the environmental impact of respiratory care. The UK’s primary care sustainability network was mentioned 26 times by UK HCPs over the period with many extremely positive about the tools for GPs looking to reduce the environmental impact of their respiratory care. According to the study’s authors, HCPs are looking for care for respiratory patients to be more environmentally friendly than ever. Studies suggest that switching just 10 per cent of inhalers to ones that do not use liquefied compressed gas could reduce CO2 emissions by 58,000 tonnes a year. This need for more environmentally friendly solutions is seen as being of even greater importance given the upward trend in the prevalence of respiratory conditions.
The study also identified leading HCP influencers active in the online debate surrounding respiratory care as well as the impact of key awareness events, such as World Asthma Day 2021 and #AskAboutAsthma 2021.
It reveals how awareness events have in the past seen the level of discussion among HCPs surrounding non-COVID related respiratory care more than double.
The study also identified the UK’s most prominent HCP Digital Opinion Leaders on respiratory diseases over the past 12 months.
Top of the list is GP and Oxford University professor of primary care, Dr. Trisha Greenhalgh, who has over 170,000 followers and a reach nearing the 100,000 mark. Dr. Greenhalgh also boasts 26,069 HCP influencers further highlighting her digital influence. Second is paediatric infectious diseases clinical research fellow Alasdair Munro, with over 48,000 followers and a reach of 34,792.
Commenting on the research, Creation Healthcare insights data analyst Mark Sullivan said:
“Our latest research offers a variety of insights surrounding World Asthma Day 2022. It demonstrates how healthcare professionals and patients themselves are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental implications of different treatment methods and, where possible, ways to mitigate any detrimental effects.
“But, it also reveals the powerful impact of awareness days and events, such as World Asthma Day, in driving conversion online among HCPs and the subsequent impact this has with the wider public.
“Lastly, it also reveals the healthcare professionals who are most active in the online discussion surrounding respiratory diseases.
“The findings should be of particular interest to advocacy groups looking to optimise their online engagement in the area of respiratory diseases.”
ENDS
Creation Healthcare provides insights and consulting to inform health strategy, communications, and policymaking among some of the world’s largest healthcare companies, government organisations and NGOs.
Founded in 1998, CREATION.co has worked with almost all of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and we are proud that many of these remain to be our existing clients today.
This is made possible through Creation Pinpoint®, the world’s only AI-powered global database of more than 3 million healthcare professionals’ social media profiles, analysing the collective intelligence of almost 2 billion social media posts by professionals on the front lines of healthcare.
Victoria leads a team focused on sales and through-the-line marketing. She has a wealth of experience in strategic and digital marketing for global businesses and likes to focus on creating long-lasting client relationships through clear communication.
Outside of CREATION.co, she helps with her family’s wine appreciation business which, for her, is the perfect combination of family time and trying new wines.
