Use of a Facebook Support Group for Kidney Transplant Patients

Background: Facebook groups have been used to foster social support of transplant patients. Examining the use and content strategies for generating member interactions within transplant-specific groups can inform how we leverage these groups to expand access to social support resources. This study characterizes the use of a closed Facebook group for kidney transplant patient support linked to a hospital in Buffalo, NY to identify the most engaging content. Methods: The sample consisted of 387 individuals (372 patients/family, eight transplant professionals, and seven community advocates) and the administrator. Content analysis was conducted of posts and comments made to the group. Descriptive measures of post content associated with interactions (reactions and comments) were computed. Results: Between 5/2020 and 5/2023, there were 484 posts with 8233 interactions (2793 comments, 5440 reactions). Half of the posts (n = 241) were made by the administrator, 166 (34%) by patients/family, 70 (14%) by community advocates, and 7 (1%) by transplant professionals. Content analysis revealed that post types with the most interactions were personal experiences, monthly transplant volume, and monthly new members added; the least interactions involved posts about holidays, observances, and information. Conclusions: The interaction metrics varied according to the content strategies used by members and provided insights into the types of content members interact with.