BACKGROUND: The Renal Patient Support Group (RPSG) is a voluntary Facebook group that was developed in 2009 in the UK. The RPSG now has in excess of 5000 members. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the work of the RPSG and to describe how the use of social media has helped raise awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The RPSG offers online peer support internationally, with members sharing their experiences. METHODS: Since the RPSG is mainly a Facebook platform, this medium has lent itself to raising CKD awareness, also allowing group members to share real-life stories. CONCLUSION: The RPSG continues to expand and invites health professionals to gain opportunities provided by social media networks to improve the health of their patients by facilitating and getting involved in 'real' discussions.
BACKGROUND: The Renal Patient Support Group (RPSG) is a voluntary Facebook group that was developed in 2009 in the UK. The RPSG now has in excess of 5000 members. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the work of the RPSG and to describe how the use of social media has helped raise awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The RPSG offers online peer support internationally, with members sharing their experiences. METHODS: Since the RPSG is mainly a Facebook platform, this medium has lent itself to raising CKD awareness, also allowing group members to share real-life stories. CONCLUSION: The RPSG continues to expand and invites health professionals to gain opportunities provided by social media networks to improve the health of their patients by facilitating and getting involved in 'real' discussions.
Authors: R G Langham; K Kalantar-Zadeh; A Bonner; A Balducci; L L Hsiao; L A Kumaraswami; P Laffin; V Liakopoulos; G Saadi; E Tantisattamo; I Ulasi; S F Lui Journal: Braz J Med Biol Res Date: 2022-05-16 Impact factor: 2.904
Authors: Robyn G Langham; Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh; Ann Bonner; Alessandro Balducci; Li-Li Hsiao; Latha A Kumaraswami; Paul Laffin; Vassilios Liakopoulos; Gamal Saadi; Ekamol Tantisattamo; Ifeoma Ulasi; Siu-Fai Lui Journal: Can J Kidney Health Dis Date: 2022-03-08
Authors: Glen James; Elisabeth Nyman; Marcy Fitz-Randolph; Anna Niklasson; Katarina Hedman; Jonatan Hedberg; Eric T Wittbrodt; Jennie Medin; Carol Moreno Quinn; Alaster M Allum; Cathy Emmas Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-07-15 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Chieh-Liang Wu; Chia-Hua Liou; Shih-An Liu; Cheng-Hsu Chen; Wayne H-H Sheu; I-Ju Chou; Shang-Feng Tsai Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-30 Impact factor: 3.390