Appropriateness evaluation of Drug Information Center's Facebook page for evidence-based drug information dissemination

Abstract

Objective: To assess the characteristics of an unpaid Facebook page for drug information (DI) and its reachability to users.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study over a 6-month duration, a Facebook page for the DI Center was created. One drug-related clinical question recently asked in the DI Center by a hospital clinician and its evidence-based answer along with the appropriate references were framed in a scenario and posted on the Facebook page on working days. The Facebook page likes, consumption, reach, engagement, impressions, and total number of followers were obtained from Facebook insights. The monthly averages of these parameters were assessed using the augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test.

Results: The cointegration (ADF) test revealed a statistically significant time-dependent correlation trend between the mean engaged users and mean monthly reach (ADF, -4.904; P = 0.01). Similarly, a statistically significant time-dependent correlation trend was observed with mean engaged users and mean monthly impressions (ADF, -5.456; P = 0.01).

Conclusion: The knowledge gap between quality DI and evidence-based medicine practice in a developing country can be bridged with a novel DI Center Facebook page initiative.