OBJECTIVE: To study and describe the use of social networking websites among Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) member clinics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University-based practice. PATIENT(S): Not applicable. INTERVENTION(S): Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of social networking websites among SART member clinics and evaluation of content, volume, and location (i.e., mandated state, region) using multivariate regression analysis. RESULT(S): A total of 384 SART-registered clinics and 1,382 social networking posts were evaluated. Of the clinics, 96% had a website and 30% linked to a social networking website. The majority of clinics (89%) with social networking websites were affiliated with nonacademic centers. Social networking posts mostly provided information (31%) and/or advertising (28%), and the remaining offered support (19%) or were irrelevant (17%) to the target audience. Only 5% of posts involved patients requesting information. Clinic volume correlated with the presence of a clinic website and a social networking website. CONCLUSION(S): Almost all SART member clinics have a website. Nearly one-third of these clinics host a social networking website such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or a blog. Large-volume clinics commonly host social networking websites. These sites provide new ways to communicate with patients, but clinics should maintain policies on the incorporation of social networks into practice.
OBJECTIVE: To study and describe the use of social networking websites among Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) member clinics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University-based practice. PATIENT(S): Not applicable. INTERVENTION(S): Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of social networking websites among SART member clinics and evaluation of content, volume, and location (i.e., mandated state, region) using multivariate regression analysis. RESULT(S): A total of 384 SART-registered clinics and 1,382 social networking posts were evaluated. Of the clinics, 96% had a website and 30% linked to a social networking website. The majority of clinics (89%) with social networking websites were affiliated with nonacademic centers. Social networking posts mostly provided information (31%) and/or advertising (28%), and the remaining offered support (19%) or were irrelevant (17%) to the target audience. Only 5% of posts involved patients requesting information. Clinic volume correlated with the presence of a clinic website and a social networking website. CONCLUSION(S): Almost all SART member clinics have a website. Nearly one-third of these clinics host a social networking website such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or a blog. Large-volume clinics commonly host social networking websites. These sites provide new ways to communicate with patients, but clinics should maintain policies on the incorporation of social networks into practice.
Authors: Wen-ying Sylvia Chou; Yvonne M Hunt; Ellen Burke Beckjord; Richard P Moser; Bradford W Hesse Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2009-11-27 Impact factor: 5.428
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Authors: Patrick J Tighe; Ryan C Goldsmith; Michael Gravenstein; H Russell Bernard; Roger B Fillingim Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-04-02 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: S Anne Moorhead; Diane E Hazlett; Laura Harrison; Jennifer K Carroll; Anthea Irwin; Ciska Hoving Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2013-04-23 Impact factor: 5.428