{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: How to Engage Older LGBTQIA+ Patients: Lessons Learned From Mayo Clinic Connect, a 100,000+-Participant Social Media Platform.
{Author}: Fee-Schroeder K;Young C;Chedid V;Jatoi A;Cathcart-Rake E;
{Journal}: Am J Hosp Palliat Care
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 19
{Factor}: 2.09
{DOI}: 10.1177/10499091241263333
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Older LGBTQIA+ patients face discrimination in healthcare and therefore are sometimes reluctant to engage and interact with healthcare providers. This report explores whether a large medically-based internet platform can be used to engage these patients and describes preferable methods for doing so.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This study used Mayo Clinic Connect, a continuously monitored, internet-based social media platform of 100,000-plus users. Participants completed a brief on-line survey to ensure their study eligibility. No patient-identifying data was asked. Participants then were to call in by phone during specified day time hours for a 45-minute qualitative interview. Alternatively, as a second subsequent option, they were to complete an on-line typed response to 4 questions about their health and healthcare. No temporal overlap occurred between the availability of the phone interview option and the typed-in response option.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>For the phone interviews, 17 of 64 individuals were deemed eligible, but no individual called in to be interviewed. In contrast, for the typed-in response option, 20 of 37 individuals were eligible and provided comments.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>A large medically-based internet platform can be used to engage older LGBTQIA+ patients, but the use of typed-in comments appears more successful, presumably because of greater anonymity and convenience.