Future healthcare providers and professionalism on social media: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Nowadays, social media have become central in the daily lives of people, including healthcare professionals. Fears arise that the accelerated growth of these social platforms was not accompanied by the appropriate training of the healthcare students and workers on the professional use of social media. This study primarily aimed to assess the awareness of the healthcare students at Beirut Arab University, Lebanon on the professional standards of social media. It also aimed to assess the presence of differences in the practices and attitudes of healthcare students according to gender and major. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed, and a paper-based questionnaire was distributed to healthcare students. Chi-Square test was used to analyse certain findings. Results Out of 1800 students approached, 496 participated in the questionnaire. All participants used social media. Only 19.5% (96/496) of them had received a structured education on the professional use of social media during their university study. The majority of students (349/488, 71.5%) thought that the professional standards on social media are distinct from those established in face-to-face interactions. Female students were more likely to get adequate answers in accordance with international guidelines. There were statistically significant differences in the practices and attitudes of students belonging to different majors (p value < 0.05). Conclusion The line between what is professional on social media, and what is not, remains blurred for healthcare students. This study uncovered the need for clear and updated evidence-based guidelines assisting students in making the most appropriate decisions in the various online scenarios faced in healthcare practice.

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)

“…Currently, many HCP students are classified as either “millennials” or “Gen Z”, and there has been extensive research into their habits and attitudes toward SNSs [ 12 ]. Students of medicine and dental medicine show a high level of understanding of SNS use and e-professionalism [ 13 , 14 ]. However, there has been little insight into the population of practicing HCPs, who willingly or out of necessity—are increasingly engaging with SNSs.…”

Crash Course in Orthopaedics: Development and Evaluation of a 12-Week Online Trauma and Orthopaedics Teaching Program for Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Social media provides a common channel for healthcare professionals and students to share information and education [ 19 ]. Facebook and Instagram are the most common social media platforms used by people in the typical demographic range of medical students and junior doctors [ 20 ]. The next most effective method of promotion was direct advertising through medical schools.…”

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

“…Swearing, posts with alcohol and sexualized posts are part of the same dimension. It could be speculated that these behaviours are unwanted because they shed a bad light on the perception of HCPs on SNS [14]. The second component, we propose, is called professional behaviour and includes content and posts on SNS that are not unprofessional [15].…”

“…Possible explanations for this are that younger HCPs are more versed in how to navigate SNS and are more accustomed to SNS being a part of their identity [2]. This can lead them to be more errorprone and more likely to post unprofessional content [12,14,53]. This was also seen in the second phase of the content analysis study conducted by Vukušić Rukavina et al which found, though not statistically signi cant, more unprofessional content on Facebook pro les of students (5.8%) than faculty (0%) [38].…”

“…Students of medicine and dental medicine show a high level of understanding of SNS use and eprofessionalism [13,14]. However, there has been little insight within the population of practising HCP-s, who are more and more, willingly or out of necessity, engaging in SNS usage.…”