The use of social media for professional purposes by healthcare professionals: the #intEHRAct survey

Visualization analysis of CBL application in Chinese and international medical education based on big data mining

OBJECTIVE

To employ big data mining to provide a visualization analysis of Case-Based Learning (CBL) application in Chinese and international medical education, with the aim of observing the potential applications of CBL.

METHODS

All included literature was obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database, Chinese core periodicals database, Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index (CSSCI), Chinese Science Citation Database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wangfang Database, and CQVIP Database. CiteSpace software (6.1.6R6) was used to conduct an in-depth investigation from four perspectives: quantitative analysis of literature, network analysis of co-occurring authors, network analysis of co-occurring research institutions, keyword clustering and burst analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 721 Chinese articles and 537 English articles were included, demonstrating an exponential growth trend. Notably, no author exhibited a prolific publication rate within a short timeframe. Bursting keywords in English literature encompassed topics related to students' learning, teaching curriculum, methods, and location. In contrast, Chinese literature focused on students' learning, teaching methods, courses, application fields as well as national policy and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (MOE) guidance. The keyword clusters include research on care, community practice, special projects and groups, teaching methods, and capacity development of participants in English literature. For Chinese literature, the clusters include research national policy guidance, teaching reform, mode and evaluation and various disciplines.

CONCLUSION

CBL holds immense potential for implementation across diverse disciplines, community practices, and special projects within medical education. The practical application of CBL is continuously evolving in response to changing times and can be seamlessly integrated into different contexts influenced by environmental factors and policies.

Social media in ophthalmology: A comprehensive literature review

We examine the role of social media in ophthalmology, focusing on its impact on patient education, professional networking, and practice promotion. An English language, PubMed search from 2019 to 2024 was performed using the search terms: "social media" and "ophthalmology" on PubMed. An analysis based on the existing usage patterns and impact/effect of social media platforms in ophthalmology was performed and is described. Fifty-five papers were included in the review. Social media enhance patient engagement and education with varying content quality. Platforms like X and YouTube have the potential to offer valuable educational content, while Instagram and TikTok foster interactive user engagement. Despite these benefits, misinformation, patient confidentiality, and time commitment remain a considerable issue. Social media provide substantial advantages for ophthalmologists, but requires careful management to address the spread of inaccurate information and ensure content quality.

Social Media Savvy, It's More Than Just the #Hashtags: How the Use of Social Media in Transplant Infectious Diseases Can Impact the Field and Patients

Social media provides platforms for transplant infectious diseases (TIDs) clinicians to network, exchange ideas, and educate each other and the broader public. A #TxIDChat on the social media platform X was conducted on the perceptions of social media in TID by the account @TxID_Fellows. This article examines the current usage of social media by TID clinicians, and its role in education, patient outreach, and networking. Guidance is also provided for trainees to help navigate a public space at the intersection of professional and social platforms.

Clicks for credit: an analysis of healthcare professionals' social media use and potential for continuing professional development activities

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have examined social media habits and utilization patterns among various groups of healthcare professionals. However, very few studies have evaluated the use of social media to support continuing professional development activities. The goal of the 2023 Clinical Education Alliance social media survey was to explore how HCPs interact professionally with social media, describe utilization trends, and identify barriers to using social media to disseminate CPD content.

METHODS

We conducted an online anonymous, voluntary survey of healthcare professionals contained in the Clinical Education Alliance learner database from January to March 2023. The survey was distributed via email and all learners were invited to participate regardless of profession or specialty. This survey consisted of 16 questions and collected demographic information and social media utilization and habits of healthcare professionals.

RESULTS

Of the 2,615 healthcare professionals who completed the survey, 71.2% use social media. Most respondents were physicians (50.6%) practicing in an urban setting (59.6%) and have been practicing for more than 15 years (70.5%). The most widely used platform was Facebook (70.7%), but there were no significant differences among the different professions. Of the respondents who use social media, 44.5% used social media to access continuing professional development-certified activities. Surveyed learners preferred passive participation with social media content. Participant-reported concerns include issues with legitimacy of the information, privacy, time constraints, and institutional barriers.

DISCUSSION

As the continuing professional development community continues to evolve and seek new innovative strategies to reach healthcare professionals, the findings of this survey highlight the need to identify and enact social media-based strategies aimed to engage healthcare professionals and provide them with unbiased evidence-based education.

Emerging Use of Social Media in Clinical Urology Practice in the 21st Century: Survey Study

Background

Social media (So-Me) platforms are valuable resources for health care professionals and academics to discover, discuss, and distribute current advances in research and clinical practices, including technology trends.

Objective

This study aims to assess the role of So-Me in urological practice in Saudi Arabia. It explores the influence of digital platforms on patient interaction, professional communication, decision-making, and education.

Methods

The survey was conducted among 145 urologists from July 2021 to July 2022 following institutional review board approval. A questionnaire designed using the SurveyMonkey platform examined urologists' knowledge of So-Me. The survey was conducted using the CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys) guidelines and was open for 17 weeks. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0.

Results

Of the 145 participants, 70% (n=102) were Saudi Arabians. The most common age groups were 30-40 (n=68, 46.8%) and 41-50 (n=61, 42.2%) years, with a gender distribution of 44.8% (n=65) women and 55.2% (n=80) men. A total of 61.5% (n=89) of urologists reported using So-Me accounts for professional purposes, with 54.9% (n=80) sharing health-related information. Social media enhanced patient connections beyond clinic visits for 55.8% (n=81) of respondents, while 57.2% (n=83) used it to provide educational resources. Additionally, 56.5% (n=82) believed So-Me facilitated patient feedback and improved their practice. In terms of professional communication, 60.6% (n=88) of urologists agreed that So-Me facilitated collaboration with colleagues, while 63.3% (n=92) used it to stay updated on the latest advances in urology. Furthermore, 62% (n=90) followed professional societies or journals on So-Me, and 63.3% (n=92) used it for continuing medical education. A majority (n=94, 64.7%) reported that So-Me influenced treatment decisions based on new research findings, and 85.3% (n=124) learned about novel technologies and treatment options through these platforms. Regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between gender and social media usage patterns (R=0.653, R2=0.426), indicating that approximately 42.6% of the differences in usage patterns can be attributed to gender. However, the Pearson χ2 analysis showed that gender did not significantly affect most aspects of social media use, except information sharing and participating in online discussions (both P<.05).

Conclusions

This study highlights the widespread use of So-Me among urologists in Saudi Arabia, underscoring its role in enhancing patient interaction, professional development, and clinical decision-making. Strategically designed health care programs using social media could improve and modernize professional and patient-centered care in Saudi Arabia through legislative assistance and guidelines.

Trusting the tube? YouTube®'s role in pacemaker patient and physician education

OBJECTIVE

YouTube®, attracts billions of monthly viewers, including those seeking health-related content. However, the quality standards of information are highly variable. The study aimed to evaluate the educational merit of YouTube® concerning pacemakers, focusing on quality and reliability for educating both patients and physicians.

METHODS

The term "pacemaker" was searched on YouTube®. Following the application of exclusion criteria based on video language, duration, and minimum view count, a total of 71 videos were analyzed. Quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS), while reliability was evaluated using the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) score. Data and metrics available regarding the channel and the specific video were obtained. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was employed to assess data normality, and the Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to determine statistical significance.

RESULTS

Youtube videos on cardiac pacemakers proved to be of moderate quality, with an average GQS score of 3.10, and of moderate reliability, indicated by a mean mDISCERN score of 3.08. Higher scores were reported for videos of more than five minute duration, the ones that were targeted at physicians, and the videos with higher view ratios. The presence of a board-certified MD yielded statistically greater mean GQS, but not mDISCERN score. No statistical difference was observed based on the number of likes.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, while YouTube® offers significant education opportunities, there is a clear need for enhanced oversight and quality control. Healthcare providers should guide patients towards valid resources and consider collaborating with platforms to develop content standards.

Social Media Behavior Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals: An American Society of Pain and Neuroscience NEURON Project

Purpose

The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) identified a significant gap in resources and guidelines that aim to educate healthcare providers for best practices when engaging on social media. As part of the broader initiatives on Spine and Nerve practice, the executive board of ASPN has decided it would be beneficial to include comprehensive guidance for healthcare providers when engaging on social media.

Methods

A panel of experts was chosen based on expertise, publications, diversity, and their social media presence. Along with expert guidance, the committee conducted an extensive analysis of peer-reviewed literature in communication and medical journals to determine best practices for healthcare practitioners on social media.

Results

Social media messages significantly impact patients' and colleagues' perceptions and actions regarding medical issues. As such, providers and their teams must be aware of legal and ethical considerations in healthcare while maintaining a consistent, educational, and digestible persona online.

Conclusion

The advancement of communication and medical technologies and systems necessitates continued education and resources to adapt to our rapidly changing media and medical landscape.

Advances in clinical diagnosis and management of amelogenesis imperfecta in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To summarize studies published between 2017 and 2023 examining the clinical diagnosis and restorative management of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) in children and adolescents.

DATA

The review incorporated publications on clinical diagnosis, patient-reported outcomes, clinical trials, cohort studies, and case reports that included individuals below 19 years of age with non-syndromic AI.

SOURCES

A literature search was conducted across electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL, including papers published between 2017 and 2023. The search yielded 335 unique results, of which 38 were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

New evidence on the genetic background of AI makes it now advisable to recommend genetic testing to supplement a clinical AI diagnosis. The discussions of the dental profession and the public on social media do not always incorporate recent scientific evidence. Interview studies are finding that the impact of AI on quality of life is more severe than previously appreciated. New evidence suggests that single-tooth ceramic crowns should be the first choice of treatment. Due to incomplete reporting, case reports have been of limited value.

CONCLUSION

In young patients with AI symptoms of pain and hypersensitivity decreased, and aesthetics were improved following all types of restorative therapy. Resin composite restorations were mainly performed in cases with hypoplastic AI and mild symptoms. Single tooth ceramic crown restorations have a high success rate in all types of AI and can be used in young individuals with AI.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Prosthetic rehabilitation in adolescents with severe AI is cost effective, improves esthetics, reduces tooth sensitivity, and improves oral health-related quality of life.

[Digital competence in rhythmology : Training and education]

BACKGROUND

The digital transformation in medicine, particularly in technology-orientated areas such as rhythmology, is leading to a rapid change in diagnostic and therapeutic options. Digital skills are helpful and need to keep up with this pace of change.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Which digital technologies and resources with rhythmological relevance play a role today and in the future?

METHODS

Review of the various digital technologies for rhythm detection and monitoring, as well as current digital resources for training and education.

RESULTS

Rhythm detection and monitoring can be optimized with smart devices and telemedicine, while digital platforms such as social media and virtual reality offer new perspectives in the training of rhythmology specialists.

CONCLUSION

Acquiring digital skills will be the basis for future work in rhythmology.

Risks and benefits of sharing patient information on social media: a digital dilemma

Social media (SoMe) has witnessed remarkable growth and emerged as a dominant method of communication worldwide. Platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become important tools of the digital native generation. In the field of medicine, particularly, cardiology, attitudes towards SoMe have shifted, and professionals increasingly utilize it to share scientific findings, network with experts, and enhance teaching and learning. Notably, SoMe is being leveraged for teaching purposes, including the sharing of challenging and intriguing cases. However, sharing patient data, including photos or images, online carries significant implications and risks, potentially compromising individual privacy both online and offline. Privacy and data protection are fundamental rights within European Union treaties, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the cornerstone of data protection legislation. The GDPR outlines crucial requirements, such as obtaining 'consent' and implementing 'anonymization', that must be met before sharing sensitive and patient-identifiable information. Additionally, it is vital to consider the patient's perspective and prioritize ethical and social considerations when addressing challenges associated with sharing patient information on SoMe platforms. Given the absence of a peer-review process and clear guidelines, we present an initial approach, a code of conduct, and recommendations for the ethical use of SoMe. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores the importance of a balanced approach that ensures patient privacy and upholds ethical standards while harnessing the immense potential of SoMe to advance cardiology practice and facilitate knowledge dissemination.

How do people living with obesity who use obesity services perceive healthcare professionals' representation of the disease on social media? An interpretative phenomenological analysis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to explore how people living with obesity who use obesity services perceive healthcare professionals' (HCPs) online representation of the disease on social media. By exploring their perspective, we aimed to develop a framework to inform good practice around social media use for HCPs.

DESIGN

This was a qualitative study using a phenomenological framework. Following in-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis was undertaken to identify superordinate themes relating to how HCPs portray living with obesity online.

SETTING

Patient advocacy organisation (The Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity) and three clinical sites offering obesity treatment in Ireland.

PARTICIPANTS

15 adult participants comprising of 12 women and 3 men who use social media and are living with obesity and who use obesity services.

RESULTS

Three key themes of how people living with obesity who use obesity services perceive HCP's online representation of the disease. (1) Negative experiences of HCPs-participants describe encountering weight stigma and bias on social media from HCPs that they characterised as simplistic and outdated conceptualisations. These engender shame, fear and anger. (2) Positive experience of HCPs-participants report social media allows HCPs to educate and inform public perception of obesity. Positive online experiences lead to feelings of inclusion, understanding and encouragement. (3) Expectations of HCPs-qualifications, professional titles and academic association affected the perceived trustworthiness of information and its impact on readers. Participants feel there is a duty of care for HCPs in obesity medicine to advocate and be active online to provide accurate medical information.

CONCLUSION

HCP's use of social media has a powerful impact on people with obesity who use healthcare and obesity services. Social media is a key tool in obesity awareness and education. We propose the '3E' framework-Empower, Evidence-Based and Educate and be educated to guide HCPs' social media use.

Radiographers use of social media - SoMe in a Nordic perspective

INTRODUCTION

Social media (SoMe) is widely used as a communication platform in everyday life. Also, healthcare professionals have embraced SoMe as a communication tool for both peers and patients. It is becoming an interactive tool for discussing professionals' issues and a place where learning and education occur. This study explores the specific patterns of SoMe use for radiographers' in the Nordic countries. The aim of this survey was to investigate radiographers use of social platforms in a professional setting.

METHODS

A 29-item survey was prepared, and pilot-tested. The survey was produced in Danish a language that all Nordic countries master. In general, most Nordic languages are very similar. The survey was distributed by online platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and also distributed by newsletters by the Norwegian and Danish national radiographers societies. All data was collected anonymously. An Ethical Research approval was obtained from the University of Southern Denmark.

RESULTS

A total of 242 respondents completed the survey (Denmark n = 183, Norway n = 48, Sweden n = 8, and n = 3 from other Scandinavian countries). The respondents included 186 females, 52 males and four were undisclosed. On average, the respondents spent approximately 2 h and 23 min daily on SoMe, with 27 min specifically dedicated to content relevant to radiographers. Facebook was the preferred platform with 93 % (n = 226). A total of 5.4 % (n = 13) respondents had experienced contact from patients and/or next of kin, while 92 % (n = 222) reported no such interactions and 2.9 % (n = 7) were undisclosed. A total of 52.8 % (n = 128) used SoMe in relation to courses, conferences, or online meetings. This shows that time spent on content relevant to radiographers imply that SoMe can be a relevant tool for reaching radiographers.

CONCLUSION

The survey demonstrates radiographers' use of SoMe for personal and professional interest, with Facebook as the preferred social media platform. SoMe were mostly used during courses, conferences, or online meetings with half of the respondent reported using SoMe platforms during working hours. These results underscore the untapped potential of SoMe in professional healthcare settings. Additionally, the study offers insight into current practices, facilitating comparisons to identify trends in SoMe usage within the radiographer community.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The findings advocate for the strategic use of SoMe by radiographers', emphasizing professional networking and knowledge sharing. However, clear guidelines are necessary to ensure patient confidentiality and data security in these digital interactions.

Professional use of social media platforms by independent dental hygienists in the Netherlands: A quantitative study

AIM

This study examines the prevalence of the professional use of social media platforms by independent DHs in the Netherlands and assesses the associated personal and demographic factors.

METHODS

In this exploratory, observational, cross-sectional study, independent DHs who were members of the Dutch Dental Hygienist Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Mondhygiënisten: NVM) were included. Data were collected from the DH practices' websites. Statistics included frequency distributions, percentages, chi-square tests for the relationship between the parameters, and multiple logistic regression for the associations between social media use and the personal and demographic factors.

RESULTS

A total of 830 independent DHs from 670 different practices were included in the study. Of these DHs, 34.4% had a link to a social media platform on their website. DHs with practices in the west or south of the Netherlands were more likely to use Facebook (p = 0.035 and p = 0.002, respectively) than those in the east or north. The likelihood of DHs with 4 years of training using Facebook was 1.910 greater than those with 2 years of training (p = 0.002). Furthermore, DHs who graduated in Utrecht were more likely to use Instagram (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Over a third of the independent DHs in the Netherlands used social media for professional purposes. DHs who trained in Utrecht for 4 years and who had a practice in the west or south of the Netherlands were more likely to use social media for professional purposes.

The impact of Twitter/X promotion on visibility of research articles: Results of the #TweetTheJournal study

Aim

Social media (SoMe) are emerging as important tools for research dissemination. Twitter/X promotion has been shown to increase citation rates in well-established journals. We aimed to test the effect of a SoMe promotion strategy on the Mendeley reader counts, the Altmetric Attention Score and the number of citations in an upcoming open-access journal.

Methods

The #TweetTheJournal study is a randomized, controlled study. Articles published in seven subsequent issues of the International Journal of Cardiology Heart & Vasculature (April 2021-April 2022) were randomized to a Twitter/X promotion arm (articles were posted four times) and to a control arm (without active posting). Articles with accompanied editorials were excluded. Primary endpoint of the study was Mendeley reader count, secondary endpoints were Altmetric Attention Score and number of citations. Follow-up was one year.

Results

SoMe promotion of articles showed no statistically significant difference in Mendeley reader counts or number of citations at one year follow up. SoMe promotion resulted in a statistically significant higher Altmetric Attention Score in the intervention compared to the control group (RR 1.604, 95 % CI 1.024-2.511, p = 0.039). In the overall group, Altmetric Attention Score showed a correlation with Mendeley reader counts (Spearman's ρ = 0.202, p = 0.010) and Mendeley reader counts correlated significantly with number of citations (Spearman's ρ = 0.372, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A dedicated SoMe promotion strategy did not result in statistically significant differences in early impact indicators as the Mendeley reader count in a upcoming journal, but increased the Altmetric Attention Score.

Network analysis of the social media activities around the #TeleCheckAF project

Aims

TeleCheck-AF is a novel remote on-demand mobile health infrastructure around teleconsultations for patients with atrial fibrillation. Social media (SoMe) communication on Twitter contributed to the dissemination of this healthcare innovation by using the hashtag #TeleCheckAF. This study aims to analyse the SoMe network behind #TeleCheckAF and determine the key opinion leaders.

Methods and results

Publicly available data on actors and interactions around the hashtag #TeleCheckAF were collected by web scraping from the platform Twitter. With tools based on social network analysis, a social network was created, different communities were identified, and key opinion leaders were determined by their centrality in the network. The SoMe network consisted of 413 086 accounts with 636 502 ties in 22 different communities. A total of 287 accounts that diffused information and/or used the TeleCheck-AF infrastructure were analysed in depth. Those accounts involved users from >15 different countries and multidisciplinary professions. Further, 20 opinion leaders were identified, including four official accounts of societies and associated journals among key opinion leaders. Peaks in #TeleCheckAF tweets were seen after (virtual) conferences and other activities involving national and international cardiology societies. Social network analysis of the TeleCheck-AF Twitter hashtag revealed a wide, multidisciplinary potential reach for the diffusion of a healthcare innovation.

Conclusion

Official society SoMe accounts can amplify the dissemination of research findings by featuring abstract presentations during conferences and published manuscripts. This underlines the synergistic effects between traditional and SoMe-based research dissemination strategies for novel healthcare approaches, such as the TeleCheck-AF project.

Twitter (X) in Medicine: Friend or Foe to the Field of Interventional Cardiology?

Twitter, which recently changed its name to "X," is a popular social media platform that is used widely across the world due to its easy accessibility through the internet. Due to more public familiarity, we referred to this social media platform as "Twitter (X)" in this article. Users can create posts, also called as "tweets" with a limitation of 280 characters and can add images, videos, and weblinks. While there are several social media platforms used by health care professionals, eg, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Periscope, Twitter (X) is an extremely popular platform among physicians, especially cardiologists. Due to its persistent growth and ever-expanding outreach, Twitter (X) is facilitating dissemination of scientific information including complex medical knowledge leading the way in collaborations, and in organizing and networking of various health care professionals, patients, and caregivers with shared medical interests. While there are several advantages of Twitter (X) as an important tool in our contemporary medical armamentarium, there are also some drawbacks. False information can be distributed effortlessly and can entrench unscientific beliefs as there is no peer-review process. Occasionally, discourteous discussions between health care professionals can be misinterpreted by users with limited medical knowledge. Other disadvantages include Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act violations and hacking of accounts. Therefore, it is imperative for health care professionals interested to use this valuable tool to be familiar with and cautious about its potential risks and limitations.

More than a hundred thousand respondents within 48 h: How the power of social media helped to understand pregnancy loss in Poland - A retrospective population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Miscarriage is defined as the loss of pregnancy before 20-24 weeks of gestation, and it is the most common complication of early pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of spontaneous abortion in the population of Polish females to provide a reference for clinical work.

METHODS

A cross-sectional self-administered on-line survey was distributed between 4th and 5th of October 2019 in the social media across Poland. A total of 100,026 recipients responded to the questionnaire and 93,636 valid respondents were included in the analyses.

RESULTS

Among respondents who had ever been pregnant, 31.2% reported at least one spontaneous abortion. The prevalence of miscarriage varied based on age, parity, place of residence and the education level. The first symptom of miscarriage was a vaginal bleeding (56.2%) and abdominal cramps (25.8%), while 43% of respondents had no symptoms and found out during doctor's visit. No medical assistance was required after complete spontaneous abortion in 39.2% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Miscarriage is a common complication of pregnancy, but it is not yet fully understood. The goal of future medicine is to minimize the medicalization of spontaneous abortion and excessive medical intervention by raising awareness about natural miscarriage route.

Social Media in Neuro-Ophthalmology: Paradigms, Opportunities, and Strategies

BACKGROUND

Social media (SoMe) is an integral part of life in the 21st century. Its potential for rapid dissemination and amplification of information offers opportunities for neuro-ophthalmologists to have an outsized voice to share expert-level knowledge with the public, other medical professionals, policymakers, and trainees. However, there are also potential pitfalls, because SoMe may spread incorrect or misleading information. Understanding and using SoMe enables neuro-ophthalmologists to influence and educate that would otherwise be limited by workforce shortages.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A PubMed search for the terms "social media" AND "neuro-ophthalmology," "social media" AND "ophthalmology," and "social media" AND "neurology" was performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-two neurology articles, 70 ophthalmology articles, and 3 neuro-ophthalmology articles were analyzed. A large proportion of the articles were published in the last 3 years (2020, 2021, 2022). Most articles were analyses of SoMe content; other domains included engagement analysis such as Altmetric analysis, utilization survey, advisory opinion/commentary, literature review, and other. SoMe has been used in medicine to share and recruit for scientific research, medical education, advocacy, mentorship and medical professional networking, and branding, marketing, practice building, and influencing. The American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society have developed guidelines on the use of SoMe.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuro-ophthalmologists may benefit greatly from harnessing SoMe for the purposes of academics, advocacy, networking, and marketing. Regularly creating appropriate professional SoMe content can enable the neuro-ophthalmologist to make a global impact.

The Use of Social Media by Clinical Nurse Specialists at a Tertiary Hospital: Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Recently, many health care professionals, who use social media to communicate with patients and colleagues, share information about medical research and promote public health campaigns.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the motives, barriers, and implementation of social media use among clinical nurse specialists in Oman.

METHODS

A mixed methods study was conducted among 47 clinical nurse specialists at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital between November and December 2020. Qualitative data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire and analyzed using thematic analysis, and quantitative data were collected with a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS (version 21.0; IBM Corp).

RESULTS

Of the 47 clinical nurse specialists surveyed, 43 (91.5%) responded. All respondents reported using social media applications, with WhatsApp being the most commonly used platform. Most respondents (n=18, 41.9%) spent 1-2 hours per day on social media. The main motives for using social media were increasing knowledge, communication, reaching patients easily, and reducing the number of hospital visits. The main barriers to social media use were privacy concerns, time constraints, and a lack of awareness of legal guidelines for social media use in the workplace. All participants requested clear rules and regulations regarding the use of social media among health care providers in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

Social media has the option to be a powerful institutional communication and health education tool for clinical nurse specialists in Oman. However, several obstacles must be addressed, including privacy concerns and the need for clear guidelines on social media use in the workplace. Our findings suggest that health care institutions and clinical nurse specialists must work together to overcome these impediments and leverage the benefits of social media for health care.Bottom of Form.

Electrophysiology fellowship experience and requirements: an EHRA survey

AIMS

This study aims to survey current educational experience and the individual requirements for electrophysiologists in training.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) e-Communication Committee and the Scientific Initiatives Committee prepared a questionnaire and distributed it via newsletters, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. The survey consisted of 22 questions collected on an individual basis anonymously. Two hundred and forty-three responders from 35 countries (32% female, age 38 ± 6 years old) completed the survey. This EHRA electrophysiology (EP) fellowship survey showed that (i) hands-on participation and observation of EP procedures are very important; (ii) the main motivations to choose the EP fellowship institution are centre reputation and volume as well as the availability of a structured EP fellowship programme; (iii) 59% passed the EHRA exam and 46% took a national certification exam; (iv) respondents are overall satisfied with their own fellowships, but there are areas of less confidence such as conduction system pacing implantation and cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation; (v) 78% of respondents performed research during their fellowship, (vi) the optimal duration of an EP fellowship should be at least 2 years; and (viii) doing fellowships abroad is beneficial, but significant obstacles exist.

CONCLUSION

The results of this EHRA survey may help to refine current EP fellowship programmes to improve the quality of EP training and early career building of young electrophysiologists.