NEW DELHI: People suffering from vertigo in India are increasingly turning to social media to seek information and even treatment and support, a latest study has found. Vertigo is the feeling that you, or your environment, is moving or spinning.
The study also found that most vertigo patients (51 per cent) turned to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter) as a platform to seek advice regarding treatment options. In contrast, a smaller group, comprising 46 per cent, sought information through medical forums, said the study published in International Journal of Clinical Skills. YouTube was another favoured platform.
Most inquiries came from middle-aged adults, accounting for 54 per cent of the total submissions. Children followed, representing 27 per cent of the questions posed. Meanwhile, elderly patients contributed 19 per cent of the queries. Notably, 65 per cent, of these inquiries came from women.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, professor and head of neurology department, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, and the lead author of the study, said it is absolutely fine if patients browse through social media to gain knowledge about their illness.
“The digital era has completely transformed the practice of medicine. Patients are increasingly using online platforms to discuss their medical conditions. Patients have many doubts and queries, and sometimes they are not able to get appointments on time or are not able to get answers from doctors. So they turn to social media for answers,” said Dr Kumar, known by his X handle Hyderabad doctor.
The study also found that many patients turned to social media to confirm the credibility of the treatment plans proposed by specialists. Many took the opportunity to inquire about the specific symptoms they were experiencing and sought clarity on their diagnoses.
“Sometimes patients want to cross-check their diagnosis and treatment. Doctors need to recognize that we are living in the information age, where knowledge is no longer confined to medical professionals. However, patients should ensure they rely on credible resources and avoid being influenced by unreliable sources.”
A recent study analyzed feedback from social media platforms to evaluate patients' experiences, concerns, and knowledge levels. The aim was to identify specific areas needing attention and improvement, ensuring that these insights could be used to enhance patient care and understanding.
The study involved analyzing 6,900 posts from 4,353 conversations centered around vertigo.
In these discussions, patients frequently reported experiencing a range of distressing symptoms. The most commonly mentioned issues included episodes of dizziness and fainting, persistent headaches, difficulties with walking, fluctuations in body weight, feelings of shakiness, and challenges with short-term memory.
These findings underscore the complex and often debilitating nature of vertigo-related conditions, the study noted.
“In-depth analysis of the growing interactions between patients with vertigo and various healthcare specialists on social media platforms can provide valuable insights. This could help bridge the gap between patient expectations and the treatment plans offered by physicians, leading to better adherence to treatment and more effective use of anti-vertigo medications,” it added.