Health communication on social media at the early stage of the pandemic

Examining health professionals' Covid-19 related tweets

Bibliographic Data

ID4593624
AuthorsY T Li (0000-0002-4897-3616, UNSW Sydney, corresponding author), Maa-Ling Chen (0009-0004-3744-6265), Hsuan‐wei Lee (0000-0002-3133-4738), Hsuan-Wei Lee
Year2024
Volume347
Pages116748
Publication date2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116748
PMID38484456
OpenAlexW4392723778
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited60

Focusing on health professionals' tweets regarding COVID-19, this study examines whether and how those tweets are unique based on their identity as health experts. The data revealed that the infusion of health communication with political opinions, whether pro- or against certain political parties or health policies, reflects values and may deviate from the original purpose of health communication. In addition, sentiment analysis countered the intuitive thought that health experts merely fulfill their role as neutral encyclopedias without excessively carrying sentiment. We conclude by reflecting on the meaning of health communication in relation to the political stances of professionals

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Encyclopedia · Health care · Health communication · Health professionals · Identity (music · Meaning (existential · Pandemic · Political science · Politics · Public health · Public relations · Relation (database · Social media · Sociology · Computer Science · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Nursing · Psychology · Public Relations and Crisis Communication · Social Psychology · Health Policy

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