Table 2.
Types of users.
| User type definition | User examples | Users (n=255), % (n) |
Health tweets (n=346), n |
Tweet examples |
| No profile: Accounts deleted or suspended after data collection so profiles could not be assessed | Not available | 7 (19) | 19 | Vision Therapy Improves Vision Related Learning Problems: LIVONIA, MICHIGAN -- When children are having trouble... http://[link] |
| Non-health related users: Users unaffiliated with a health profession, organization, or mission | Justin Bieber fan account; a hotel in Gloucestershire, England; expert in “online promotion” | 25 (64) | 58 | RT @username: These Baked Honey-Mustard Chicken Bites r big on flavor - and small on POINTS® Value! http://[link] |
| Health advocates: Users educating and advocating health issues on behalf of patients | Patient advocate with diabetes; educator and promoter on disabilities issues | 6 (16) | 26 | My Life as Mandy... with Epilepsy: Educational Information http://[link] |
| Non-provider health professionals: Users working in the health field who do not provide direct patient care | Health economist; registered dietician; medical student | 11 (28) | 43 | Hey girl, I so hear ya! I'm on the same boat! RT @username: ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO LOSE WEIGHT!! I CANT KEEP PROCRASTINATING! Get eht 2qethr. |
| Health providers: Direct-care providers, such as physicians and nurses | A registered ER nurse “and mother of 3”; a clinical cardiologist; “physician, keynote speaker, and media health expert” | 22 (56) | 59 | Human factors:articulate video on patient safety inspired from personal loss http://[link] |
| Health businesses: Commercial businesses selling specific service or product | Herbal supplements company; health care marketing agency | 22 (55) | 99 | @username Good luck with all that reading. Have you seen our Anatomy & Physiology Online? Makes learning easier http://[link] |
| Organization: Hospitals, medical societies, clinics, and journals | The Cancer Letter; Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Kids in Need of Dental Services | 7 (17) | 42 | RT @username: Public #malaria drug research #data now more discoverable http://[link] #open #science20 |