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Evaluating TikTok Content on Gestational Diabetes Screening: Accuracy and Impact
Hanna Perone1, Marta Langley1, Kara Patek2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States.
Objective:
This study evaluates the accuracy and engagement with information on social media about the oral glucose challenge test, a screening tool for gestational diabetes.
Study Design:
A cross-sectional study was conducted on December 1, 2024, by first identifying posts in English on TikTok from February 1, 2020, to October 31, 2024, using keywords: glucola, glucose drink, and gestational diabetes screening. Metrics such as views, shares, likes, comments, and follower counts were obtained. Posts were analyzed to determine account type, theme, tone, and readability ease, and then scored using JAMA, DISCERN criteria, and a harm-benefit analysis.
Results:
A total of 1,130 posts were identified, with 306 posts meeting inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis demonstrated that posts were for entertainment (n = 190) or educational (n = 116) purposes. Doctors contributed the most educational content (94.1%), while patients contributed content considered to be entertainment (67.6%, p < 0.05). The majority of posts had a neutral or positive tone regarding testing (80.7%). More than half of negative and neutral posts were shared by patients, while doctors favored posting positive content (85.5%). Doctor-generated posts were of longer duration, had more difficult reading comprehension scores, and scored higher on JAMA and DISCERN criteria compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Inaccurate or partially accurate posts made up 42% of educational posts and were most frequently shared by non-medical personnel. Higher view count was found among beneficial posts compared to neutral or harmful posts with a median of 44,600 compared to 41,300 and 6,449 views, respectively (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
TikTok represents a growing, open-access platform for medical and non-medical personnel to rapidly share health information such as screening guidelines for gestational diabetes. Without regulatory oversight and future promotion of accurate content, exposure to unregulated information may influence medical decision-making and pregnancy outcomes in the future.
Key Points:
· TikTok posts discuss gestational diabetes screening.. · Patients share glucola-related content most frequently.. · Up to 42% of posts contain misleading information.. · Doctors share educational and more accurate information..
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