#NeuroTwitter: A Hashtag Analysis Study of Global Neurology Conversations on X

TL;DR

This study analyzes the use of the #NeuroTwitter hashtag on X to understand how neurology-related content is shared and engaged with globally.

Contribution

The first study to explore the influence and global reach of #NeuroTwitter on the X platform in the field of neurology.

Findings

The #NeuroTwitter hashtag generated over 216,558 posts and 11.1 million impressions in one year.

Most posts originated from the United States, followed by India and the United Kingdom.

Engagement peaks were observed during academic events like Match Week and residency application season.

Abstract

Introduction

Studies show that X (formerly Twitter) significantly amplifies healthcare content online. This platform is valuable for monitoring public health trends and global healthcare patterns. Within neurology, it would be advantageous to explore the dissemination of information related to neurological matters by using #NeuroTwitter. In this study, we aim to evaluate the outreach achieved by neurology-related posts using the hashtag #NeuroTwitter.

Methods

We utilized the Fedica research analytics tool to conduct a cross-sectional hashtag analysis of posts containing #NeuroTwitter from June 1, 2022, to June 1, 2023. All public posts with the hashtag were included, regardless of user location, language, or profile type. Bots were excluded where identifiable. Sentiment, geographic distribution, and user engagement metrics were analyzed.

Results

Within a 12-month period, the #NeuroTwitter movement generated 216,558 posts shared by 61,326 X users, resulting in over 11.1 million impressions (views). The majority of posts originated from the United States (n = 84,485, 39.0%), followed by India (n = 16,332, 7.5%) and the United Kingdom (n = 13,484, 6.2%). The most commonly associated hashtags were #MedTwitter, #Neuroscience, #Neurology, #MedEd, and #Stroke. Engagement peaks corresponded with key academic milestones such as Match Week and residency application season.

Conclusion

This unique study marks the first exploration of the influence and utilization of #NeuroTwitter, examining its global impact in the field of neurology through the X platform. Our findings reveal that #NeuroTwitter is a widely utilized hashtag for neurology-related topics, particularly concerning research and medical education in the online community.

Figures