Instagram Use Among Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs

Abstract

Introduction:The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges to residency recruitment. With in-person away rotations prohibited and interviews held virtually, orthopaedic residency programs turned to social media. Studies document the exponential growth of residency program Instagram accounts after March 2020, but few analyze the content of their posts. This study provides an updated assessment of such Instagram accounts including a detailed analysis of their content and a discussion of potentially concerning posts. Methods: Orthopaedic surgery residency programs participating in the National Resident Matching Program and any Instagram accounts associated with these programs were identified. Instagram accounts were analyzed, and the 25 most recent posts and all highlighted stories for each account were coded for content based on a predetermined list of categories. Specific attention was given to content that may raise legal, ethical, or professionalism concerns. The primary outcome was the most common content code among posts. The secondary outcomes were the number of posts identified as potentially concerning and the types of concerns represented. Results: Overall, 138 of 193 residency programs (72%) had an Instagram account at the time of cross-sectional analysis, 65% of which were created between April and December 2020. All accounts were public. Profiles had on average 1,1566 750 followers and 59 6 75 posts. Of the 3,348 posts analyzed, the most common coded themes were resident introductions (33%), camaraderie (27%), and social life and hobbies (26%). There were 81 concerning posts from 52 separate accounts. Seventy-five of the concerning posts (93%) depicted residents scrubbed alone. Conclusion: Orthopaedic residency Instagram accounts are potential tools for residency recruitment and can depict a program's culture through posts over time. However, public accounts are open to scrutiny by other viewers, including patients and their families. Care must be taken to consider multiple perspectives of post content, so as to bolster, not damage, the residency program's reputation.

Orthopaedic Surgery Training and Education During COVID-19

“…Two studies reported on what content was being posted on Instagram by residency programs. One found that Instagram posts often featured resident introductions, content about camaraderie, and the resident social lives 41 . Another study found that 54% of Instagram posts contained departmental content, 13% were social posts, and 10% were related to COVID-19 42 .…”

“…Finally, social media use, particularly Instagram, among orthopaedic residencies skyrocketed during the pandemic 30,38 . Lifestyle became highly valued because posts demonstrating social lives of residents were of particular importance to applicants 30,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46] . Although some programs may decrease their use of social media with the return of traditional recruiting, the pandemic ultimately caused refinement of program social media accounts and residency websites that will serve as valuable recruiting tools for residency applicants going forward.…”

“…Six studies looked at the increase in social media profiles after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four studies reported that 65% to 85% of residency program Instagram accounts were created after the pandemic onset [40][41][42]44 . One study evaluated new Twitter accounts and found that 41.2% joined after the pandemic 40 .…”

“…A study reported that 69.2% of applicants used In-stagram to learn about programs, with 34% saying that a program's Instagram content affected their rank list 38 . According to 8 studies, the percentage of orthopaedic residency programs on Instagram ranged from 41.6% to 88%, with a median of 65.9% 30,36,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46] . Having a program Instagram account and having more "followers" were positively associated with a higher ranking for orthopaedic residency programs on Doximity 42 .…”

Engagement With a Medical Student Life Instagram Account

“…1 This is highlighted in the dramatic rise of Instagram accounts by residency programs to build community and connect with potential future residents. 2,3 While several studies have explored Instagram use in graduate medical education and recruitment, there is a paucity of literature on Instagram use for undergraduate medical education and medical student life. The objective of this study is to explore and analyze engagement with an undergraduate medical student life Instagram account at a single institution.…”