Empowering Global Hematology-Oncology Education: Assessing the Impact of a Virtual Platform in Combating Educational Inequity.

Abstract

Social media informs 77% of patients with cancer, yet one third of posts contain misinformation. MedNews Week (MNW) is a volunteer virtual platform that delivers expert hematology-oncology content while intentionally pursuing gender balance. We analyzed program metrics (January 2022-June 2023) for 36 biweekly keynotes by oncology leaders (mean H-index 50.1). Aggregated audience demographics and engagement data were exported from X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Clubhouse. Unique reach, geographic distribution, and growth were calculated after deduplicating cross-platform IDs. Attendance and engagement were compared by speaker gender with χ² tests and linear regression. MNW reached 743,991 unique viewers across 95 countries, including 23 low- and middle-income nations, and rose 10.5-fold in attendance over 18 months. Speakers achieved gender parity (18 women, 18 men); female-led sessions drew similar live attendance and video views (<i>P</i> = .41). MNW ranks in the top 0.07 percentile for health care influence on X. Participants included clinicians (40%), patients/advocates (22%), students (18%), and nonmedical stakeholders (20%). A no-cost, volunteer, gender-balanced platform can rapidly scale credible oncology education worldwide, counter misinformation, and engage under-resourced audiences. Sustained partnerships and outcome assessments are warranted.