Blogging in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology: Assessment of the 'blogosphere' content
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective.
To analyzeinfluential infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, or medical microbiology blogs and bloggers.
Setting.
World Wide Web
Design.
We conducted a systematic search for blogs in accordance with the PRISMA
guidelines in September 201
5.
Methods.
A snowball sampling approach was applied to identify blogs using various search
engines. Blogs were eligible if they: 1) focused on infectious diseases (ID), antimicrobial
stewardship (AMS), infection control (IC), or medical microbiology (MM); 2) were in
tended
for health professionals, 3) were written in English and updated regularly. We mapped
blogs/bloggers characteristics and used an innovative tool to assess their architecture and
content. Motivations and perceptions of bloggers and readers were asses
sed.
Results.
A total of 88 blogs were identified. 28 (32%) focused on ID, 46 (52%) on MM and
14 (16%) in IC or AMS. Bloggers were mainly male, MD and/or PhD, 32 (36%) posted at
least weekly, and 51 (58%) for a research purpose. The aims were considered c
lear for 23
(26%) blogs, the field covered was broad for 25 (28%), presentation was good for 22 (25%),
51 were easy to read (58%) and 46 included expert interpretation (52%). Among the top 10
blogs (2 equally
-
ranked), 3 focused on ID, 6 on MM and 2 on IC.
Bloggers questioned were
motivated by sharing independent expertise/opinion. Readers appreciated the concise
messages given on scientific and practical updates.
Conclusions.
This study describes high level blogs in ID/IC/MM suggesting how bloggers
should b
uild/orientate blogs for readers, and highlighting current gaps in topics such as AMS.
To analyzeinfluential infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, or medical microbiology blogs and bloggers.
Setting.
World Wide Web
Design.
We conducted a systematic search for blogs in accordance with the PRISMA
guidelines in September 201
5.
Methods.
A snowball sampling approach was applied to identify blogs using various search
engines. Blogs were eligible if they: 1) focused on infectious diseases (ID), antimicrobial
stewardship (AMS), infection control (IC), or medical microbiology (MM); 2) were in
tended
for health professionals, 3) were written in English and updated regularly. We mapped
blogs/bloggers characteristics and used an innovative tool to assess their architecture and
content. Motivations and perceptions of bloggers and readers were asses
sed.
Results.
A total of 88 blogs were identified. 28 (32%) focused on ID, 46 (52%) on MM and
14 (16%) in IC or AMS. Bloggers were mainly male, MD and/or PhD, 32 (36%) posted at
least weekly, and 51 (58%) for a research purpose. The aims were considered c
lear for 23
(26%) blogs, the field covered was broad for 25 (28%), presentation was good for 22 (25%),
51 were easy to read (58%) and 46 included expert interpretation (52%). Among the top 10
blogs (2 equally
-
ranked), 3 focused on ID, 6 on MM and 2 on IC.
Bloggers questioned were
motivated by sharing independent expertise/opinion. Readers appreciated the concise
messages given on scientific and practical updates.
Conclusions.
This study describes high level blogs in ID/IC/MM suggesting how bloggers
should b
uild/orientate blogs for readers, and highlighting current gaps in topics such as AMS.
Date Issued
2017-07
Date Acceptance
2017-03-16
Citation
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2017, 38 (7), pp.832-839
ISSN
1559-6834
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Start Page
832
End Page
839
Journal / Book Title
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Volume
38
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2017 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved. This paper has been accepted for publication and will appear in a revised form, subsequent to peer-review and/or editorial input by Cambridge University Press.
Sponsor
National Institute for Health Research
National Institute for Health Research
Identifier
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/blogging-in-infectious-diseases-and-clinical-microbiology-assessment-of-blogosphere-content/2ADCDC8D8344E5CCF5FCCD73D09D5CC3
Grant Number
HPRU-2012-10047
HPRU-2012-10047
Subjects
Epidemiology
11 Medical and Health Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-05-18