Social media’s impact on patient provider choice

This study aimed to investigate if social media (SM) impacts a patient’s provider choice in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI).

This was a survey-based study completed in July 2022. A survey link was distributed using Amazon Mechanical Turk, which directed participants to a Qualtrics-based survey. Participants were 18–50 years old. The primary outcome was to identify the preferred method for finding a REI provider based on time spent on SM (< 1 h, 1–3 h, 3 + h).

A total of 336 responses were analyzed. Fifty-four percent of respondents used SM < 1 h, 33.33% used 1–3 h, and 12.80% used 3 + h. The majority (69.05%) of respondents stated that they would seek out a REI provider/clinic if they had difficulty conceiving. Most respondents identified asking their primary care physician (44.64%) as the primary means for finding an REI provider/clinic and did not prefer to use SM. Although Facebook (< 1 h: 30.94%, 1–3 h: 31.25%, 3 + h: 27.91%) was the most utilized SM platform among respondents, YouTube was the preferred SM platform if respondents were to follow a REI clinic with a preference for posts focusing on education (< 1 h: 55.68%, 1–3 h: 43.12%, 3 + h: 58.14%) or stress management (< 1 h: 17.61%, 1–3 h: 29.36%, 3 + h: 20.94%).

Most respondents utilize traditional methods when choosing their REI provider or clinic and would not utilize SM. However, SM, primarily through YouTube, may be helpful for educating infertility patients and providing support and stress relief while they undergo treatment.