Observation and Analysis of Case Discussions Using WeChat Groups Among Orthopedists

Abstract Background: With the vigorous development of social media networks, an increasing number of orthopedists in China are taking part in case discussions using WeChat groups. The case discussion process using WeChat is quick, convenient and not limited by time or space, but this kind of case discussion is also chaotic and unconstrained. This study is aimed to observe and analyze the purpose, participation, case completeness, opinion consistency of orthopedic case discussions using WeChat groups.Methods: We collected data related to the case discussions of three orthopedic surgeons by taking screenshots of the chat records in the most-used WeChat groups from June to August 2019, and analyzed the purpose, participation, completeness and the opinion consistency between the majority of members and experts in related fields.Results: The common purposes of orthopedic case discussions were showing surgical results and obtaining treatment advice. The number of likes received for cases showing surgical results was significantly higher than those for cases requesting diagnostic advice and obtaining treatment advice. The complete and relatively complete cases attracted more participants and received more effective comments than the incomplete cases. The opinion consistency rate of the complete cases was higher than that of the relatively complete and incomplete cases.Conclusions: The case discussions using WeChat groups among orthopedists was mainly to show surgical results and request for diagnostic advice. Incomplete cases had low discussion participation and low opinion consistency. Online discussions using WeChat groups should be standardized with respect to the completeness of cases.