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Tindara Franchina
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P39 - Patient Advocacy (ID 168)
- Event: WCLC 2020
- Type: Posters
- Track: Patient Advocacy
- Presentations: 1
- Moderators:
- Coordinates: 1/28/2021, 00:00 - 00:00, ePoster Hall
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P39.09 - Social Media Support of Lung Cancer Patient Associations During the Lockdown Restrictions in Italy: A Breath of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (ID 3746)
00:00 - 00:00 | Presenting Author(s): Tindara Franchina
- Abstract
Introduction
Unprecendented emergency measures applied in Italy, plagued by COVID-19 have determined the development of new patients associations strategies to support oncological patients, particularly lung cancer patients, experiencing increased fear and anxiety to contract COVID-19 for the higher risk of pulmonary complications. In this context, social networking platform have represented a privileged support tool, especially Facebook for the numbers of active users, patient communities and cancer advocacy and support activities. The objective of this study is to evaluate how Italian lung cancer patient associations have used Facebook to support patients during lockdown period in Italy.
Methods
Data have been obtained by the analysis of posts inserted on Facebook pages by the Italian lung cancer patient associations between 31 January 2020 (first cases reported in Italy in Rome) and 4 May 2020 (start-up phase II after lockdown). The search of associations was conducted on Facebook and web search engines.
Results
A total of eight Facebook pages of lung cancer patient associations have been analysed. Two associations have not updated their pages in the referred period. Published posts in all examined pages are in total 155, related to vademecum and guidelines for oncological patients (26,4%); information about the COVID-19 and indications to prevent trasmission (20%); updates on cancer treatments (5,2%); fundraising (7%) to donate medical devices for COVID-19 emergency. The most frequent hashtags have been: #covid19, #distantimauniti (Distant but United), #coronavirus. Several care emojis have been used in the different posts, including the virtual HUG, launched in the late April 2020 to help people to stay connected and express mutual love and support during the COVID-19 crisis (Figure 1). The most liked post, promoting a vademecum for caregivers to support lung cancer patients during lockdown period, has obtained 2700 like. Moreover, several initiatives have been carried out on Facebook such as the programs of digital solidarity, to share emotions, support and spend time together.
Conclusion
The use of Facebook during COVID-19 lockdown has represented for Italian lung cancer patient associations a new virtual space of meeting and supporting and a tool to reduce distances and the concerns related not only to cancer, but also to the danger of COVID-19.
