On Friday, March 7 I ran something of an experiment in crowdsourcing information via social media. At that time I was attending an evidence-based medicine (EBM) conference at Duke University, and during Friday’s closing session I was asked if I would discuss how we can use Twitter as a way to share and discuss EBM resources and information.
Two of the examples I gave were pretty straightforward. The first example was showing that Twitter can reach broad audiences and share information outwards towards those audiences. The second example was a discussion of TweetChats, including the #MedEd tweet chat and the BMJ Evidence-Based Nursing Twitter journal club.
The third example was a sort-of almost experiment. Just about 12:30 pm, I posted this post on this blog. At 1 pm I posted these tweets:
S1 Can anyone tell me if magnesium has good evidence recommending its use in patients with severe asthma? #DukeEBM #FOAMed #MedEd #MedLibs
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) March 7, 2014
S2 Re: best evidence-based treatments for COPD–can anyone lead me to best evidence-based guidelines? #DukeEBM #MedLibs #MedEd #FOAMed
— Mark Ryan (@RichmondDoc) March 7, 2014
Within a few minutes, I began to receive responses to these posts. These responses included:
#DukeEBM For S1 see http://t.co/gyoEnEU0EY. 2012 Cochrane Systematic review: Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma.
— Edward Miner Library (@minerlibrary) March 7, 2014
#DukeEBM S2 http://t.co/jB2iJTrY8w
— Elizabeth Mamo (@ehmamo) March 7, 2014
#DukeEBM 2013 EBMG guidelines available thru Essential Evidence Plus. http://t.co/E7jEHuQXU4 (May be subject to licensing restrictions)
— Edward Miner Library (@minerlibrary) March 7, 2014
S1: Check out the Trip Database PICO search. http://t.co/u9pG2GGbPX) 8 SR’s #DukeEBM
— Rienne Johnson (@librarianrienne) March 7, 2014
no good evidence inhaled MgSO4 sub 4 inhaled β2-agonists. 3 trials: possible improve pulm func w/sev asthma http://t.co/nml4zXGZ6V #DukeEBM
— Brandi Tuttle (@btuttle) March 7, 2014
acute asthma maxed on stand. therapy: IV mag sulfate shown 2 reduce hosp & improve lung func w/o sig effect #DukeEBM http://t.co/6B70aJ4gbA
— Brandi Tuttle (@btuttle) March 7, 2014
evidence based guidelines for COPD? NGC: http://t.co/WZUpda10Of OR freely available Canadian guideline http://t.co/It2cdIcs1S #DukeEBM
— Brandi Tuttle (@btuttle) March 7, 2014
S2 guidelines for tx of COPD: http://t.co/iVCWN4RvwP #DukeEBM
— julie (@juleskay) March 7, 2014
#DukeEBM correct link to our COPD ref list: http://t.co/rgTBZB708G @natalieclairoux #DUkeEBM A handy rapid response list of COPD guidelines
— CADTH (@CADTH_ACMTS) March 7, 2014
Not according 2 Brits! Give 1 dose IV mag 2 those w/o good response 2 inhaled bronchos or near fatal asthma. #DukeEBM http://t.co/FBiwrp3Jig
— Brandi Tuttle (@btuttle) March 7, 2014
A good COPD study, and in ACP J Club but not a guideline to discuss; http://t.co/ljc86XysNF #DukeEBM
— Brandi Tuttle (@btuttle) March 7, 2014
Within these responses were actionable, easy-to-use, up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for care. This was not truly an experiment: @btuttle knew that I was going to run this test, but did not know the precise time or content of the request, and I did mention the #DukeEBM tag during the #MedEd chat: folks were aware that this test was going to happen, but did not know the specifics.
Overall, I think we proved the point: the Twitter community can and will respond effectively when we ask for help. I think we also showed that these responses can help advance the cause of evidence-based medicine and improve healthcare for all our patients.
Social Media Healthcare 