Breast Reconstruction in the Social Media Age.

Nguyen, Jonathan; Thompson, Peter; Losken, Albert

BACKGROUND The internet and social media provide access to information regarding breast reconstruction, which can educate and influence patients. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate current internet and social media usage for breast reconstruction patients and its impact on patients. METHODS Eighty-six breast reconstruction patients over a 7-month period answered an anonymous survey, which queried demographics, reconstruction type, internet usage, social media usage, expectations, and impact on decisions. Fisher's exact test was performed to evaluate the use of social media. RESULTS 95% of patients used the internet for breast reconstruction information. The information was easy to understand 70%, helpful 76%, and trustworthy 60%. The information influenced decisions regarding procedure 23%, surgeon 23%, and hospital 22%. Social media was used 71% of the time. 62% found it easy to understand, 57% helpful, and 48% trustworthy. The information influenced decisions regarding procedure 16%, surgeon 11%, and hospital 10%. 26% of women expected final breast reconstruction appearance to look better than their native pre-mastectomy breasts, 55% as good or similar, and 12% reported appearance as being unimportant. Women found social media information to be less helpful than internet information. There was no significant association between expectations and social media versus no social media usage. CONCLUSION Patients who undergo breast reconstruction use the internet and social media for their information. Though the information is generally trusted, it does not seem to heavily influence patient decision making. Providers remain patient's main source of information, and need to direct patients to quality and accessible resources.