Research & Innovation

This review specifically focused on identifying concussion-related information accessed by different audiences on a range of social media platforms. The goals of this review were to synthesize the existing state of concussion coverage across social media platforms from all published studies to date as the basis to inform directions for patient and family education, clinical practice and future research on improving concussion care and treatment.

ABSTRACT

Social media platforms have become central to health communication, influencing how individuals access and interpret medical information. A notable innovation in this space is the emergence of medical avatars which are digital personas representing clinicians, patients, or AI-driven agents that deliver health-related content. These avatars leverage visual storytelling and interactivity to simplify complex concepts, foster trust, and enhance engagement, offering scalable solutions for health education and chronic disease support. However, their growing influence raises significant concerns regarding misinformation, ethical transparency, and data privacy. This commentary critically examines the opportunities and risks associated with avatar-led health communication across major platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. It explores how avatars shape health literacy, patient expectations, and clinical encounters, while highlighting ethical challenges such as credential disclosure and informed consent. The paper also discusses implications for clinical practice, policy development, and research, emphasizing the need for evidence-based design and governance frameworks. Future directions include longitudinal studies to assess avatar efficacy, integration of clinical guidelines into avatar-friendly formats, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure equitable and trustworthy digital health communication. By addressing these complexities, medical avatars can advance health equity and informed decision-
making in the digital age.

Case vignette
As a pediatric social worker, I first met Asher, a 2-month-old infant with short gut syndrome, on a busy pediatric unit where technology framed daily life. Asher depended on a central line for parenteral nutrition, a
gastrostomy tube for intermittent feeds, continuous hydration, regular labs, and vigilant infection surveillance. Each therapy served purpose and introduced burden, and the hospital had become the only reliable container for those competing realities. Discharge was discussed often, and it was technically possible, yet it repeatedly faltered on a single immovable fact:the family faced housing instability, limited transportation, scarce reliable caregivers, and minimal community resources capable of sustaining technology-dependent care. During a quiet meeting, the parents shared that they did not feel able to take their child home with so much equipment because their living situation was unstable, their capacity was overwhelmed, and they feared unintentional harm. 

They asked that Asher remain in the hospital and, if necessary, die there rather than attempt a home plan they believed would fail. Clinically, Asher was not at the end-of-life and could live for years with ongoing technological support, but the family’s request precipitated for us to assess feasibility, burden, and dignity within the reality they named. After multiple goals-of-care discussions with the interdisciplinary team, we agreed to de-escalate treatment. Enteral feeds were withdrawn, parenteral nutrition tapered, and hydration maintained briefly
for comfort before removing tubing as symptom relief became the priority.

Asher died days later in a familiar room, with parents present and supported by a transparent, attentive team.

Introduction
Baby Jackie’s case was one of profound complexity and deep humanity.

She was a neonate diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, a life-limiting condition that shaped every decision we made. From the outset, the medical team understood that her prognosis was poor and that her clinical status would deteriorate over time. The family’s wishes were clear and deeply heartfelt: they wanted their baby to spend as much time at home as possible and did not want her to die in the hospital. These wishes became the guiding principles for our care planning, even as we navigated significant challenges related to safety, housing instability, and parental substance use. This reflection explores the intersection of ethics, patient-and-family-centered care, and practical realities. It highlights the tension between honoring parental wishes and ensuring safety for a medically fragile infant. It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the emotional weight carried by professionals in pediatric end-of-life care.