Clinical Report: TikTok's Influence on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Education
Overview
This study evaluates the sources of education on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in Black skin on TikTok, revealing that a significant portion of content is produced by patients rather than healthcare professionals. The findings highlight the potential for misinformation and the need for increased dermatologist engagement on social media platforms.
Background
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that disproportionately affects individuals with skin of color, particularly African American women. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe complications, making effective education crucial. Social media platforms like TikTok serve as popular sources of health information, but the reliability of this information varies significantly.
Data Highlights
Content Type
Number of Videos
Patient-Created
24 (48%)
Dermatologist-Created
10 (20%)
Plastic Surgeon-Created
7 (14%)
Nurse Practitioner-Created
1 (2%)
Beauty Service Providers
2 (4%)
Other
6 (12%)
Key Findings
48% of TikTok videos on HS were created by patients.
Only 20% of videos were produced by board-certified dermatologists.
70% of videos focused on treatment options for HS.
Products associated with sales commissions appeared in 14% of videos.
There is a significant gap in medically accurate education versus patient experience narratives.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare professionals, particularly dermatologists, should consider leveraging social media platforms like TikTok to provide accurate information about hidradenitis suppurativa. Engaging with patients on these platforms can help mitigate misinformation and improve patient education regarding treatment options.
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of professional involvement in social media health education, particularly for conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa that require accurate information to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment.
