OSTOMATES AND PLANNED ESSENTIAL SURGERY: LEVERAGING TIKTOK TO MITIGATE STOMA-RELATED MORBIDITY aakarim@utmb.edu

366-01

OSTOMATES AND PLANNED ESSENTIAL SURGERY: LEVERAGING TIKTOK TO MITIGATE STOMA-RELATED MORBIDITY

6

 

 

 

 

United States

Oral or Poster

Surgical backlogs for planned essential surgeries (PES) delay stoma reversals, leaving patients ("ostomates") to rely on informal sources like TikTok for guidance. TikTok, with 1 billion+ users monthly, is a potentially high-yield intervention point for stoma care education and support. This study aims to evaluate the understandability, actionability, engagement, and potential stigmatization of global TikTok content on stoma care.

We performed a mixed-methods framework analysis of the top 40 TikTok videos retrieved using stoma-related search terms. Inclusion criteria were English-language, original content addressing stoma care. Two reviewers independently assessed understandability and actionability using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool - Audiovisual (PEMAT-A/V) and perceived stigma via qualitative assessment of narrative tone. A third reviewer independently resolved conflicts. Engagement rates (ER) were calculated using the formula: ER=(likes+comments+shares)​/views×100.

Of 40 videos, 33 were included. Most TikToks (67%; n=22) had high understandability (PEMAT-A/V score >70%), but only four (12%; n=4) were actionable. Neutral tone was most common (55%; n=18), followed by empowering (33%; n=11) and stigmatizing (12%; n=4). Critically, stigmatizing videos had the highest median ER at 6.48%, surpassing empowering (4.07%) and neutral videos (2.94%). Stigmatizing videos also had a 7x greater share rate than empowering videos (0.37% vs. 0.05%).

While most TikTok videos on stoma care are easy to understand, they seldom provide actionable material. Stigmatizing content drove the highest engagement, which may worsen patient self-perceptions while awaiting reversal. Clinician- or institution-led content and healthcare institution-content creator partnerships could enhance educational value, mitigate stigma, and facilitate ostomates’ self-management while awaiting PES.