Comments on Dermatologists' TikTok Videos on Atopic Dermatitis: Content Analysis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Social Media Analysis
• Digital Health Communication

Background:

• TikTok is a rapidly growing platform for health information, including atopic dermatitis (AD).
• Previous research on TikTok health content primarily examines information credibility, with limited focus on physician-created videos and audience interaction.
• Understanding audience engagement with dermatology content on social media is crucial for effective health communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze audience responses to board-certified dermatologists' TikTok content about atopic dermatitis (AD).
• To investigate audience interactions within the comment sections of these dermatology-focused TikTok videos.

Main Methods:

• Searched TikTok for "atopic dermatitis" and "eczema" videos by board-certified dermatologists in December 2023.
• Analyzed 28 videos categorized as disease explanation, recommendation, misinformation debunking, or informal.
• Classified the top 50 comments and replies per video into predefined categories (e.g., personal experience, advice seeking, appreciation).

Main Results:

• Video category did not significantly affect engagement rates.
• Comments featuring personal experiences or information sharing were more prevalent than critical or off-topic comments.
• Negative personal experiences were reported more frequently than positive ones in comments; replies often offered recommendations and emotional support.

Conclusions:

• Dermatologist-created TikTok content on AD is generally well-received across various formats.
• Comment sections facilitate supportive interactions, shared experiences, and recommendations among users.
• A notable gap exists in dermatologist-produced TikTok content addressing atopic dermatitis on darker skin tones.