Author(s)
Tai Kyung S. Hairston1, Anne R. Links1, Vandra Harris1, Jonathan Walsh1, Mary Catherine Beach1, Emily F. Boss1
Affiliation(s)
1 Johns Hopkins University School Of Medicine
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Despite the frequency of pediatric tonsillectomy, little is known regarding parental experience, priorities, or concerns about this common surgery. OBJECTIVES: We systematically evaluate posts in a well-known social media site to gauge parent perspectives of tonsillectomy in children that may not otherwise be revealed in a routine clinical encounter. METHODS: In this mixed methods analysis, we searched Twitter© for terms related to tonsillectomy posted by parents between 2008-2017. We applied modified grounded theory to develop a coding taxonomy in which to classify tweets. Three reviewers reviewed tweets for thematic synthesis and classification. We calculated frequencies for each theme, which were not mutually-exclusive. RESULTS: Of 5801 tweets retrieved, 786 matched search criteria. Tweets related to overarching themes of procedural concerns (N=664, 84.5%) and attitudes/experiences (N=634, 80.7%). Common tweets related to procedural concern regarded surgical indication (“sick for months”; N=85,10.8%), recovery [N=316, 40.2%; including pain (“poor baby suffering”; N=88, 11.2%) nutrition (“won’t eat”; N=97, 12.3%)], and parental (”harder on the parents than the kid”; (N=77,9.8%)). Common tweets regarding attitudes/experiences include tenor of overall care (“not prepared for this”; N=225, 28.6%), and fears/apprehensions (“I’m terrified”; N=209, 26.6%). Parents also tweeted regarding the surgeon (N=40, 5.1%), costs (“tonsillectomy cost $2,400”; N=49, 6.2%), and health systems (N=11,1.4%). CONCLUSION: This analysis provides insight into parent perspectives on pediatric tonsillectomy. Parents commonly tweet concerns about tonsillectomy which may be underestimated in routine surgeon-parent dialogue. Findings may be used to guide clinicians in educating and counseling parents, and engage parents and children in shared decision-making for tonsillectomy.