Abstract: FR-PO1045
Amplifying Patient Voices: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Driven Insights from Kidney Health Discussions on Reddit
Session Information
- Social, Environmental, and Economic Determinants of Kidney Health
October 25, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Anumolu, Rajesh, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Delory, Aaron, IO Design Team LLC, Danvers, Massachusetts, United States
- Chandraker, Anil K., University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Background
Advancements in technology and social media have revolutionized discussions on medical conditions, surpassing traditional data collection methods in scope and speed. With over 850 million monthly users, platforms like Reddit provide a vast source of user-generated content. By utilizing large language models (LLMs), these discussions can be systematically analyzed to assess community sentiments, track conversations, identify trends, and address unmet needs. This approach offers valuable insights for o guide research, inform product development, and enhance patient support strategies.
Methods
The study analyzed 39,637 posts from subreddits related to kidney health, including /r/dialysis, /r/kidneydisease, /r/kidneystones, and /r/transplant. LLMs were used to categorize and evaluate the content, specifically leveraging OpenAI's Chat GPT-4 to identify trends and insights within each subreddit.
Results
By 2022, kidney-related subreddits saw significant growth: Dialysis (7,000), Kidney Disease (10,000), Kidney Stones (16,000), and Transplant (8,000) subscribers. Discussions often focused on medical queries, treatment experiences, and financial concerns, highlighting the need for advice and support. Spikes in activity correlate with policy changes, economic factors, or medical research, with advocacy events driving periodic increases. Steady population growth and increased post volume indicate active participation. Understanding these trends and the sentiment helps better address community needs.
Conclusion
These insights help healthcare professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies support patient communities, inform product development, and enhance care strategies. LLMs provide real-time insights into patients' states, helping identify issues and adjust care. They study patient experiences, public health trends, side effects, satisfaction, and unmet needs. LLMs highlight health disparities, guiding interventions and inclusive policies. Analyzing social media data with LLMs helps stakeholders understand patient trends, improving outcomes and support strategies.