Since we started this community and chat in 2013, the world of social media has changed including X, formerly Twitter. Since many of the chat platforms we used on Twitter are no longer available for use with X - or are only available if you are a premium member - we wanted to provide an update on how you can join us. See the box on the right for the dates for this year's chats.
What is a Chat?
A Tweetchat (or maybe now called an X-chat?) is a virtual gathering of people discussing a particular
subject in real-time online. Using a unique hashtag helps identify the tweets that belong to
the
discussion. If you join the #gyncsm community for one of their chats (8pm ET) you will add the hashtag #gyncsm to each post. The conversation happens
in real-time and can take place at a fast pace.
You may follow along any chat online by placing twitter.com in your browser. Note, that if you want to participate fully and comment on posts, you will need to sign up for an X account and create a handle. You may find us by searching our handles: @gyncsm for gyncsm, @btrfly12 to follow Christina, and @womenofteal to follow me. And of course use hashtag #gyncsm for chatting and sharing information important to our community.
Follow our hashtag at any time by following the steps below.
Follow a Hashtag
1. Log into X.
2. In the search box on the right place #gyncsm. The window will look like this.
3. Click Latest in the menu at the top of the page. This brings you to a window that shows the most recent stream of posts using the #gyncsm hashtag. See example below.
The #gyncsm hashtag (and those for other cancer communities like #bcsm for breast cancer and #lcsm for lung cancer) are used all the time - not just during chat time - to share information of interest to our respective communities.
So what happens on a #gyncsm chat night?
The #gyncsm chat takes place at 8pm
EST. A few minutes
before the 8pm EST sign into X. You will see that some of us have already tweeted using the
hashtag to remind our followers to join us.
The #gyncsm Chat Format
Introductions (8:00-8:10 pm EST)
Moderators will introduce themselves. We will then ask those who
feel comfortable doing so to introduce themselves. Remember to add the #gyncsm hashtag each time you post.
Don’t worry if you
feel like just “eavesdropping” on the conversation - that is OK. You can
always just post to us directly (@gyncsm) or post a simple statement such as "#gyncsm I'm listening". You can also e-mail us (
gyncsm@gmail.com) with questions/comments after the chat is over.
Questions/ Discussion (8:11- 8:49pm ET)
Each chat will have a specific overall discussion topic. The moderators and our guests will be
prepared to share links and information that relate to our night’s topic. The
discussion will revolve around 4-5 questions regarding the
night’s topic. As we post each topic question everyone is invited to
comment. We ask that you be sure to use T1, T2, T3, etc at the beginning of your post so
that we know which question you are responding to. When we have special guests (authors,
advocates, researchers or social workers) join us for a chat the format may be
modified for those occasions. During chats we mostly ask participants to please refrain from asking questions
about your own personal health issues. Rather - jot those questions down
and call or speak to your doctor at your next visit.
Summary /Closing Remarks (8:50- 9:00pm)
During this time we will ask you to share what
you learned by starting your post with "TIL" standing for "Today I Learned ". We will also
remind you of the date, time, and topic of our next chat plus how to check for a summary and transcript of the chat on this blog.
Chat Tips
Here are some things to keep in mind if you are new to chats:
- You may use 280 characters per tweet.
- The pace may be quick at times with participants commenting but
please
don’t be discouraged. You can scroll back in the conversation to catch
up. For most health related chats, transcripts are available on the
communities website (gyncsm.blogspot.com for gyncsm) or on Symplur, part of Real Chemistry website. (https://www.symplur.com/healthcare-hashtags/gyncsm/)
- Please try to stay on topic. Side conversations are distracting and will make a crowded discussion more difficult to follow.
- Try to keep retweets to a minimum so that the discussion can flow smoothly.
- The chat is not
the place to promote your project / book / event/ fundraiser. We know
you are all doing wonderful things but please feel free to share with all
after the chat is completed.
- Be mindful that
although we may all be dealing with a gynecologic cancer, the experiences
we have may not be the same. Please do not criticize another person's treatment decision.
We look forward to having you join us this year!
Dee
#gyncsm Co-founder
