BACKGROUND
The principal objective of this study was to investigate the influence of X (previously known as Twitter) on the dissemination of information and the extent to which it raised healthcare sector awareness regarding racial disparities in pulse oximetry.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the impact of social media on increasing awareness of racial disparities in the accuracy of pulse oximetry and how information spreads among physicians.
METHODS
We utilised social network analysis to examine the impact of X conversations concerning pulse oximetry device. Searches were conducted using the X API each year (January to December) from 2012 to 2022 to cover an 11-year period with up to 52,052 users that generated 188,051 posts. We identified the nature of influencers in this field and monitored the temporal dissemination of information in relation to social events and regulatory changes. Moreover, we mapped this against the evolution of published literature on this topic in both biomedical and grey literature.
RESULTS
Conversations on X increased healthcare awareness of racial bias in pulse oximetry. They also facilitated the rapid dissemination of information, attaining a substantial audience within a compressed timeframe, which may have impacted regulatory action announced in relation to the investigation of racial biases in pulse oximetry.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide valuable insights into the potential of social media to be used as a tool for promoting health equity