Exploring experiences of orthognathic surgery: A Reddit-based content analysis.

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Digital Health
• Patient Support Systems

Background:

• Presurgical consultations may have information gaps, prompting patients to seek online resources.
• Social media platforms like Reddit offer emotional support and peer-driven insights for individuals undergoing orthognathic surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore key themes, user sentiment, and the role of Reddit in orthognathic surgery patient experiences.
• To identify how social media influences patient understanding and preparedness for jaw surgery.

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of the "r/jawsurgery" subreddit, including the top 50 posts and 500 comments from the past year.
• Thematic coding using NVivo 20 to identify key discussion topics.
• Sentiment analysis and descriptive statistics to analyze user engagement and trends.

Main Results:

• The majority of posts (96%) were shared post-surgery, frequently featuring before-and-after images.
• Five key themes emerged: personal transformation, support, advice, practical concerns, and planning.
• Sentiment analysis revealed overwhelmingly positive user engagement, with discussions covering functional outcomes, finances, and recovery.

Conclusions:

• Reddit functions as a significant emotional support system and educational resource for orthognathic surgery patients.
• Findings suggest integrating social media insights into clinical practice can improve informed consent and patient preparedness.
• Healthcare providers are encouraged to explore digital engagement strategies to bridge patient communication gaps.