Differences between doctors of medicine and dental medicine in the perception of professionalism on social networking sites: the development of the e-professionalism assessment compatibility index (ePACI)

Abstract

Background Social networking sites (SNSs) have penetrated all aspects of health care professionals’ (HCPs’) professional and private lives. A new term, e-professionalism, has emerged, which describes the linking of traditional values with this new dynamic online environment for HCPs. The four aims of this study were: (1) to examine their SNS prevalence and usage habits, (2) to examine their perception of e-professionalism, (3) to develop an e-professionalism assessment compatibility index and (4) to investigate their tendencies and differences in values of the e-professionalism assessment compatibility index (ePACI). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among MDs and DMDs in Croatia via email using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to all MDs and DMDs who were members of their respective chambers. In addition to descriptive statistics, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test when appropriate, t-test, ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to determine differences between groups. A principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to investigate dimensionality. Results of the PCA were compared to the coding based on the Social Media e-Professionalism rubric in order to create the ePACI. Results Of the 1013 gathered responses, 753 were from valid SNS users and suitable for further analysis. Facebook (91.6%) and Instagram (63.1%) were the predominant SNSs used. Both groups have a good understanding of e-professionalism. The newly developed ePACI deviates slightly in the “conservative” direction in the cases of both, MDs (t506 = 19.033, p < 0.001) and DMDs (t245 = 12.991, p < 0.001). HCPs who are older (r = 0.308, p < 0.001), who have fewer SNS profiles (rs = −0.142, p < 0.001), and who access their profiles less frequently (r = −0.166, p < 0.001) have statistically significantly more conservative ePACI values. Conclusions MDs and DMDs in Croatia are frequent SNS users, with Facebook and Instagram being the main SNSs used. Both groups have a good understanding of e-professionalism. The newly developed ePACI deviates slightly towards the conservative side regarding perception of the e-professionalism content for both groups. The development of the ePACI, and its subsequent usage in further research, will have a direct influence in its validation, gathering comparable data, and be able to direct efforts in oversight, regulation and education.

Measuring e-Professional Behavior of Doctors of Medicine and Dental Medicine on Social Networking Sites: Indexes Construction With Formative Indicators

“…Previous research on the same sample [ 34 ] showed a significant difference in age, where MDs were older than DMDs with an average age of 39.26 years as opposed to 36.58 years, respectively, and in the type of employment, with more than two-thirds of DMDs (168/246, 68.2%) being employed in the private sector compared with only 20.5% (104/507) of MDs. All specialization status levels are included in the sample ( Multimedia Appendix 3 ).…”

“…One potential extension of this study, which could lead to a more thorough understanding of the topic, involves testing the indexes on specific subsamples, particularly within specialties such as dermatology and reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. These specialties may involve visual representations of procedures, such as “before and after” images [ 34 ], which could pose potential threats to e-professionalism.…”

“…The instrument for measuring the e-professional behavior of MDs and DMDs, presented in this study, is part of a more extensive questionnaire called SMePROF Project Survey Questionnaire on Social Media Usage, Attitudes, Ethical Values and E-professional Behaviour of Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Dental Medicine, available at Viskić et al [ 34 ]. Although the questionnaire contained multiple instruments partially derived from previous studies [ 10 , 34 , 35 ], the instrument for measuring the e-professional behavior of MDs and DMDs is a novel instrument created by the authors. The instrument contains 20 items measured using the self-reporting approach, used to create 2 e-professionalism indexes, and the process is explained in the following parts of this paper.…”

Reclaiming the concept of professionalism in the digital context; a principle-based concept analysis

“…Talking of digital pro ciency, although digital natives assumed that they were well equipped with digital literacy, the published body of literature depicted a contradictory picture (17,61,74,75). Gettig (26) identi ed two contrasting perspectives, students having a laxed approach while posting online content in a personal capacity while faculty believed in professionalism irrespective of personal and professional capacity.…”

Exploring changes in the perception of e-professionalism among medical and dental students: a quantitative cross-sectional study

“…Subsequently, Marelić et al translated and modified this instrument for use in the Croatian language ( 13 ). Viskić et al introduced the ePACI index, derived from responses to the White et al instrument ( 20 ). The theoretical spectrum of this index extends from -1 to +1.…”