The use of social media platforms in adult basic life support research: a scoping review

Background

Social media (SoMe) is expanding globally, with increasing adoption in research, including resuscitation science. Its widespread reach and growing influence make it a valuable tool for research and knowledge dissemination. We aimed to assess the utilization of SoMe, highlight its applications, and identify future research areas, specifically in data collection and analysis, education and training, and professional networking and collaboration.

Methods

Embase, Scopus, and PubMed were searched through October 30th, 2024. Titles and abstracts were screened, and duplicates removed. The PCC (Population, Concept, and Context) framework defined the population as SoMe users, the concept as adult BLS-related content, and the context as SoMe platforms used for data analysis, data collection, teaching, campaigns, communication, and sharing, excluding traditional media.

Results

The search yielded 5,427 articles, with 201 undergoing full-text review and 42 included. Most studies were from high-income countries (19/42; 45%) and had a cross-sectional design (16/42; 36%). SoMe was primarily used for data analysis (17/42; 41%) and data collection (16/42; 36%). YouTube and X were the frequently applied SoMe platforms (12 studies each; 29%), while Instagram and WhatsApp supported diverse applications. In contrast, Snapchat and TikTok were used less frequently and for narrower purposes.

Conclusions

Existing studies focus on data collection and analysis, mainly via YouTube and X, but inconsistencies in design and geography call for standardized reporting to enhance comparability and impact. Future studies could standardize reporting on SoMe applications in adult BLS using established frameworks to ensure comparability and effectiveness.