To identify key themes in CINV-related discussions among cancer patients on Chinese social media platforms using natural language processing, focusing on posts from January 2020 to December 2023.
Key Findings:
Emotional Support and Positive Mindset (30.37%) - Emphasizes encouragement and psychological reinforcement.
Symptom Management and Solution Exploration (24.05%) - Reflects active pursuit of dietary and behavioral strategies.
Drug Knowledge and Experience Sharing (20.81%) - Highlights information needs about antiemetic medications.
Acute Symptom Impact and Medical Help-Seeking (24.77%) - Captures severe symptom distress and use of social media to seek timely medical guidance.
Interpretation:
Patients’ online discussions reveal multidimensional CINV management needs beyond pharmacotherapy, including emotional support, practical coping strategies, and medication education.
Limitations:
Data is limited to public posts on specific Chinese social media platforms, which may not reflect the experiences of patients on other platforms or in different cultural contexts.
Findings may not be generalizable to non-Chinese populations or other social media platforms.
Conclusion:
Social media serves as both a peer support platform and an informal resource for symptom monitoring and medical decision-making, highlighting significant gaps in current clinical care and the need for patient-centered interventions.
