Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31431827›Full record

ArticleDigital health

Recruitment via social media: advantages and potential biases.

Catherine Benedict, Alexandria L Hahn, Michael A Diefenbach, Jennifer S Ford

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Digital health. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 82 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
82citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

82 citing papers in PubMed.

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  19. Methodological considerations in comparing behavioral outcomes after surgical correction of non-syndromic sagittal craniosynostosis.Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery · 2025
    Article
  20. Article

22 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Catherine BenedictStanford University School of Medicine, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9622-249X
Alexandria L HahnFeinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, USA.
Michael A DiefenbachFeinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, USA.
Jennifer S FordHunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), USA.

Funding

Developing a Decision Aid for Adolescent and Young Adult Female Cancer Survivors Considering Future Family-Building after TreatmentR03CA212924 · NCI · FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH · PI DIEFENBACH, MICHAEL A · 2017 to 2018
$165k
NCI NIH HHS R03 CA212924
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are under-represented in research. Social media is increasingly used for recruitment given its ability to reach large audiences. Differences in participant characteristics and potential biases due to recruitment source are not well understood. PURPOSE: This study aimed to: (a) compare recruitment strategies (hospital-based v. social media) in enrollment metrics, and (b) among enrolled participants, evaluate group differences in patient characteristics and patient reported outcomes (PROs).

methodsPreliminary data from a cancer and fertility study with female AYAs were evaluated. Hospital-based recruitment used electronic medical records (EMR) to identify eligible patients. Social media recruitment involved posting on partner organizations' social media outlets. PROs included validated measures related to the parent study. Descriptive statistics evaluated recruitment metrics. Independent samples

resultsSocial media yielded a higher enrollment rate (37%;

conclusionRecruitment via social media may be a more effective and efficient strategy compared with hospital-based methods. However, group differences were identified that could bias findings and limit generalizability. Advantages of social media should be considered with an understanding of how methodology may impact enrollment and results.

Indexed as

cancerdigital healthpatient organizationsresearch methodologySocial mediasocial media recruitmentyoung adult

Identifiers

PMID31431827
PMCPMC6685119

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.