Original ReportsProfessional Use of Social Media Among Surgeons: Results of a Multi-Institutional Study
Introduction
In spite of the near-ubiquitous nature of social media (SM) in modern life,1 use of these tools among surgeons in professional environments is poorly characterized. Previously documented barriers to SM adoption by physicians include a lack of available time and a lack of perceived value, as well as concerns about personal and patient privacy.2, 3 In addition to the practical barriers to adoption of SM in the professional realm, a generation gap exists, with millennials using SM for contact and information far more frequently than members of generation X and baby boomers.4, 5 Digital natives seem to be more comfortable working in the virtual space provided by SM, although they are no less likely to commit personal or patient privacy violations.6
With the exception of a recent study profiling the use of SM by oncology physicians and trainees,2 little is reported regarding the use of SM by physicians for professional purposes within a particular specialty. Our study was designed to assess usage of and attitudes about SM by surgical faculty and trainees at 4 academic centers.
Section snippets
Methods
An electronic survey using SurveyMonkey was designed to query participants′ attitudes, interest, and involvement with common SM outlets in professional practice (Appendix A). The institutional review boards of the University of California Los Angeles, the University of Utah, Johns Hopkins University, and Pennsylvania State University approved this study. The survey was pilot tested on a convenience sample before distribution to the study group. The survey invitation was distributed via e-mail
Results
Over the study period, 1037 e-mail surveys were sent to 645 faculty members, 330 residents, and 62 fellows. There were 208 respondents from all 4 institutions, including 132 faculty, 74 residents, and 2 fellows, for an overall survey response rate of 20%.
Among the 208 respondents, 79 (38%) were females. Age ranges and years of graduation from medical school are shown in Table 1. Professional practice settings of respondents included 191 in academic practices (92%) and 17 in community-based
Discussion
Most of surgical faculty, fellows, and residents responding to our survey used some form of SM for professional purposes. However, many stated that they preferred traditional means of communication, education, and collaboration and approximately 1 in 8 were unfamiliar with the use of SM in the professional setting. A recent study by Langenfeld et al.7 noted that 68% of program directors in general surgery use Facebook, and that it is common practice among them to amend rank order lists of
Conclusions
Most of academic surgical faculty and trainees who responded to our survey use some form of SM for professional purposes and consider SM participation potentially beneficial to professional development. Personal and patient privacy concerns as well as uncertainty regarding potential uses remain barriers to more widespread use. Clinical resident propensity to keep in touch via SM and positive attitude regarding SM among younger surgeons may reflect a generational trend in professional
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge Marcia Morrissey (UCLA), Lisa Marley (University of Utah), and Angela Lehman (Pennsylvania State University) for their administrative assistance.
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