The Effectiveness of Patient Training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge via Instagram: Randomized Controlled Trial

Blunck D, Kastner L, Nissen M, Winkler J (2022)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Journal of Medical Internet Research Journal of Medical Internet Research / Gunther Eysenbach

Original Authors: Dominik Blunck, Lena Kastner, Michael Nissen, Jacqueline Winkler

Book Volume: 24

Pages Range: e36767

Article Number: e36767

Issue: 10

Journal Issue: 10

URI: https://jmir.org/2022/10/e36767

DOI: 10.2196/36767

Open Access Link: https://jmir.org/2022/10/e36767

Abstract

Background:

Patients’ knowledge was found to be a key contributor to the success of therapy. Many efforts have been made to educate patients in their disease. However, research found that many patients still lack knowledge regarding their disease. Integrating patient education into social media platforms can bring materials closer to recipients.


Objective:

The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of patient education via Instagram.


Methods:

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the effectiveness of patient education via Instagram among patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Participants were recruited online from the open Instagram page of a patient organization. The intervention group was educated via Instagram for 5 weeks by the research team; the control group did not receive any educational intervention. The knowledge about their disease was measured pre- and postintervention using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed by comparing mean knowledge scores and by regression analysis. The trial was purely web based.


Results:

In total, 49 participants filled out both questionnaires. The intervention group included 25 participants, and the control group included 24 participants. The preintervention knowledge level of the intervention group was reflected as a score of 18.67 out of 24 points; this improved by 3 points to 21.67 postintervention. The postintervention difference between the control and intervention groups was 3.59 points and was statistically significant (t32.88=–4.56, 95% CI 1.98-5.19; P<.001). Results of the regression analysis, accounting for preintervention knowledge and group heterogeneity, indicated an increase of 3.33 points that was explained by the intervention (P<.001).


Conclusions:

Patient education via Instagram is an effective way to increase disease-related knowledge. Future studies are needed to assess the effects in other conditions and to compare different means of patient education.

Authors with CRIS profile

Dominik Blunck Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement Lena Kastner Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Gesundheitsmanagement Michael Nissen Department of Palliative Medicine

Involved external institutions

Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Blunck, D., Kastner, L., Nissen, M., & Winkler, J. (2022). The Effectiveness of Patient Training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge via Instagram: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(10), e36767. https://dx.doi.org/10.2196/36767

MLA:

Blunck, Dominik, et al. "The Effectiveness of Patient Training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge via Instagram: Randomized Controlled Trial." Journal of Medical Internet Research 24.10 (2022): e36767.

BibTeX: Download