Exploring experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants of healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding medically related social media use.

Ababneh, M.; Stewart, D.; Pedersen, S.; Nazar, Z.; Cunningham, S.

Abstract

There is an accumulation of evidence that healthcare professionals are increasingly using social media to provide services to patients, share and disseminate information, and develop their professional skills. Research originating from the Middle East is rare and guidelines for healthcare professionals on appropriate use have only recently emerged. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants of healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding medically related social media use and recently issued national guidelines. Doctors and pharmacists in Qatar posting medically related information at least once per month on social media platforms and who had more than 300 followers were identified. Potential participants for qualitative interviews were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to provide a range of professions, sexes, and clinical specialities. A semi-structured interview scheduled was developed underpinned by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and piloted. Interviews were conducted via Zoom, transcribed, and independently analysed by two researchers using a framework approach. The study received ethics approval prior to data generation. Identified themes related to experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants. Eight interviews have been conducted (five physicians and three pharmacists), with additional interviews planned until data saturation. Emerging themes at this stage relating to behaviours are that the choice of platform and nature of posting vary with intended use (e.g., social versus professional). Associated determinants align to several TDF domains, largely belief of consequences (e.g., likely improvement in knowledge of others), professional role, social influences of others, and behavioural regulation (e.g., feedback on posts). Positive (rewarding) and negative (responses of others) experiences of social media use were described. Most were unaware of the specific content of the national guidelines, and although largely supportive of their introduction, they identified multiple issues (e.g., the need to include professional registration details in biography). A range of determinants influence medically related social media use. While there may be potential to align behaviour to the guidelines, there may be merit in review of the guidelines.

Citation

ABABNEH, M., STEWART, D., PEDERSEN, S., NAZAR, Z. and CUNNINGHAM, S. 2022. Exploring experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants of healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding medically related social media use. Presented at the 50th ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) symposium on clinical pharmacy, polypharmacy and ageing: highly individualized, interprofessional, person-centered care, 19-21 October 2022, Prague, Czech Republic.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 50th ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) symposium on clinical pharmacy, polypharmacy and ageing: highly individualized, interprofessional, person-centered care
• Start Date: Oct 19, 2022
• End Date: Oct 21, 2022
• Deposit Date: Mar 30, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 30, 2023
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-022-01521-5
• Keywords: Healthcare professionals; Social media; Patient services; Professional skills; Middle East; Qatar
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1919400
• Additional Information: Abstract published as: ; ABABNEH, M., STEWART, D., PEDERSEN, S., NAZAR, Z. and CUNNINGHAM, S. 2022. Exploring experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants of healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding medically related social media use. International journal of clinical pharmacy [online], 44(6): conference abstracts of 50th ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) symposium on clinical pharmacy, polypharmacy and ageing: highly individualized, interprofessional, person-centered care, 19-21 October 2022, Prague, Czech Republic, article PP195, pages 1558-1559. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-022-01521-5