Information Sharing in Neurosurgery Topics Among Pediatric Patients and Loved Ones Within the Reddit Community

Introduction With crowd-sourced knowledge, patients arrive at their healthcare visits ready to play an active role. This exploratory study seeks to understand common concerns among patients and loved ones on Reddit, an anonymous internet forum. Ultimately, recognizing common concerns can aid providers in directing their conversations with patients. Methods Reddit posts in the "hot" tab of each subreddit were retroactively screened from September 1, 2022. Posts written within a five-year period were included. Posts by pediatric patients, loved ones, and pregnant patients experiencing the condition or whose fetus was diagnosed were included. Posts omitting the poster's age or individuals, outside of loved ones, who self-identified as over the age of 17 were excluded. Results A total of 12 subreddits and 286 posts were identified, with 37% of posts written by patients and 63% of posts written by a loved one. R/scoliosis patients (n=29) and r/epilepsy loved ones (n=28) sought the most health advice. The subreddit r/hydrocephalus comprised the most post-operative treatment symptom questions. The r/cerebralpalsy subreddit sought the most advice related to daily activities. Discussion Patients within r/scoliosis, r/hydrocephalus, and r/epilepsy are asking health-related questions. Hydrocephalus patients utilize anonymous internet responses to prepare for upcoming healthcare visits. Individuals in r/cerebralpalsy are utilizing Reddit as a method of communication; understanding how these patients interact with social media can guide software development tailored for online interactions. The anonymity of Reddit prevents us from understanding the diversity of posters. Conclusion Reddit is an avenue to disseminate correct information to pediatric patients and loved ones. Healthcare providers can use the information gathered to tailor their discussions better.