Comprehensive Evolution Analysis of Public Perceptions Related to Pediatric Care: A Sina Weibo Case Study (2013–2020)

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of doctor-patient disputes in pediatrics departments in China has led to more doctor-patient online public discussions. The effects of comprehensive evolution have become the focus of public opinion governance. This paper obtains social media data regarding pediatric care from Sina Weibo, and analyzes changes in emotional tendencies and the evolutionary characteristics of public emotional events. Simulation experiments are conducted by constructing a comprehensive evolution model of public emotion to reveal the derivation rules of the information community. The results of the study show that: (1) the Chinese public’s attention in the field of pediatrics in recent years is focused on children medicine; (2) emotional tendencies show a small fluctuation, and the positive emotions are mainly stable; (3) when the public opinion evolves, the evolution effect of the community has a great effect on the topic escalating and social emotions strengthening; (4) other relevant events could promote the exacerbation of current events, making the expansion of the topic larger and longer. Research on pediatric doctor-patient online public emotional events is beneficial to the public’s key needs for pediatric medical care, and provides effective information for stakeholders to effectively monitor and guide public emotional events.