Examining peer-to-peer and patient-provider interactions on a social media community facilitating ask the doctor services

Alicia L. Nobles, Eric C. Leas, Mark Dredze, John W. Ayers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Ask the Doctor (AtD) services provide patients the opportunity to seek medical advice using online platforms. While these services represent a new mode of healthcare delivery, study of these online health communities and how they are used is limited. In particular, it is unknown if these platforms replicate existing barriers and biases in traditional healthcare delivery across demographic groups. We present an analysis of AskDocs, a subreddit that functions as a public AtD platform on social media. We examine the demographics of users, the health topics discussed, if biases present in offline healthcare settings exist on this platform, and how empathy is expressed in interactions between users and physicians. Our findings suggest a number of implications to enhance and support peer-to-peer and patient-provider interactions on online platforms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 14th International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, ICWSM 2020
PublisherAAAI Press
Pages464-475
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781577357889
StatePublished - 2020
Event14th International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, ICWSM 2020 - Atlanta, Virtual, United States
Duration: Jun 8 2020Jun 11 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 14th International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, ICWSM 2020

Conference

Conference14th International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, ICWSM 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlanta, Virtual
Period6/8/206/11/20

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications

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