Download PDF
Appl Clin Inform 2024; 15(05): 952-964
DOI: 10.1055/a-2395-3357
Research Article

A Structured Social Media Health Support Program after Bariatric Surgery

Orly Tamir   *
1   The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
2   National Council on Diabetes, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Hassan Kais   *
3   Division of General Surgery, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
,
Moran Accos-Carmel
1   The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
,
Tatyana Kolobov
1   The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
,
Gideon Matthews
4   Johnson & Johnson, Shefayim, Israel
,
Aviva Lipsits
1   The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
,
Yuval Shalev
1   The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
,
Sigal Sheffer-Benton
1   The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel
,
Arriel Benis
5   Department of Digital Medical Technologies, Holon Institute of Technology, Holon, Israel
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Background Social media networks have been found to provide emotional, instrumental, and social support, which may contribute to improved adherence to postbariatric surgery care recommendations.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an online social media-based, health care professional-led, educational and support program on patients' long-term engagement with and adherence to follow-up guidelines, self-care recommendations, and weight management after bariatric surgery.

Methods An observational cohort study, employing mixed methods, accompanied a 12-week interactive, structured, social media psychoeducational intervention program delivered on Facebook. Program participants, who had undergone one bariatric surgery within the past 1 to 7 years and were at least 18 years old at the time of surgery, were invited to join the program via posts online. Interested individuals were provided information about the program and the accompanying evaluation study, and those who met requirements completed study questionnaires before and after the program. Questionnaires included demographic and anthropometric information; postoperative recommendations received and their clarity and implementation; attitudes toward recommendation adherence; and well-being. Daily system data on program engagement were collected from the Facebook website.

Results Of the 214 participants enrolled in the program, 101 (80.2% female, mean age 43.8 ± 9.1 years and mean body mass index 30.2 ± 6.8 kg/m2, 1–7 years after bariatric surgery) completed both baseline and end-of-program questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Following the program, improvements were observed in most aspects of participants' adherence to postoperative recommendations and well-being. Close to half of the participants (44.6%) reported reaching their postoperative target weight at the end of the program or maintaining it throughout the program. Video posts drew higher participant engagement than other media, and content about proteins received the highest number of reactions. However, participants' active engagement gradually declined over time.

Conclusion Interactive health support on social media can positively enhance patient engagement, adherence to treatment recommendations, health outcomes, and overall well-being.

Keywords

social media - customer health informatics - continuity of care - patients with chronic illness - social networking - internet-based program - bariatric surgery - obesity

Protection of Human and Animal Subjects

The study was performed in compliance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects and was approved by the Sheba Medical Center Ethics Committee (approval number: 202019582, dated December 20, 2020). All data were anonymized prior to analysis. Completed questionnaires were stored in an encrypted folder on a secure server with restricted access at the institution of one of the researchers.


* Equal contribution.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 26 March 2024

Accepted: 17 August 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
20 August 2024

Article published online:
13 November 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany