Graduating Pharmacy Students’ Perspectives on E-Professionalism and Social Media

Abstract

Objective. To determine the use patterns of social media among graduating pharmacy students, characterize students' views and opinions of professionalism on popular social media sites, and compare responses about social media behavior among students seeking different types of employment. Methods. All graduating pharmacy students (n5516) at Purdue University, The University of Findlay, Butler University, and Midwestern University were invited to complete a survey instrument during the fall semester of 2011. Results. Of 212 (41%) students who responded to the survey, 93% (194/209) had a social media profile. Seventy-four percent (120/162) of participants felt they should edit their social media profiles prior to applying for a job. Conclusions. Many graduating pharmacy students use social media; however, there appears to be a growing awareness of the importance of presenting a more professional image online as they near graduation and begin seeking employment as pharmacists.

An Analysis of Pharmacy Students’ Social Networking Service Activities and Perceptions Regarding E-Professionalism under the Newly Implemented 6-year Pharmacy Educational System in South Korea.

“…6,11 The pilot test for the survey questions was conducted with 12 pharmacy students, and minor revisions were made based on the results from the pilot test. The survey instrument consisted of 20 questions regarding demographic data, SNS activities, and perceptions of e-professionalism.…”

“…3,11 Approximately 45% of pharmacy students at Queen's University Belfast in the United Kingdom indicated that they had posted content that they did not want a prospective employer or university administrator to view. 11,12 A study analyzing the first-year pharmacy students in the United States reported that approximately 65% of these students indicated their online images on Facebook accurately showed future images as healthcare professionals.…”

“…Student doctors in New Zealand presented sexual orientation, offensive language, unprofessional photographs (e.g., pictures with patients, excessive alcohol consumption), and involvement in unprofessional groups (e.g., "F*** medicine -I want to be a ninja," "Perverts united") on their Facebook pages. 10,11 A nursing student at the University of Louisville in the United States was expelled for violating the honor code by posting unprofessional comments on an SNS about patients whom she had met on her clinical rotations. 3,11 Approximately 45% of pharmacy students at Queen's University Belfast in the United Kingdom indicated that they had posted content that they did not want a prospective employer or university administrator to view.…”

“…10,11 A nursing student at the University of Louisville in the United States was expelled for violating the honor code by posting unprofessional comments on an SNS about patients whom she had met on her clinical rotations. 3,11 Approximately 45% of pharmacy students at Queen's University Belfast in the United Kingdom indicated that they had posted content that they did not want a prospective employer or university administrator to view. 11,12 A study analyzing the first-year pharmacy students in the United States reported that approximately 65% of these students indicated their online images on Facebook accurately showed future images as healthcare professionals.…”

“…Consequently, it is necessary to comprehend current SNS activities and perceptions of pharmacy students regarding e-professionalism. Although several studies regarding professionalism of healthcare students on SNSs were conducted in foreign countries 3,[5][6][7][9][10][11][12] , these kinds of studies with pharmacy students have been rarely implemented in Korea. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the use patterns of SNSs among pharmacy students and (2) assess students' perceptions regarding e-professionalism on popular SNSs under the newly implemented 6-year pharmacy educational system in South Korea.…”