Occupational therapy students’ use of social media for professional practice

Abstract

Background. The use of social media for professional practice is an emerging trend for healthcare professionals; however, limited literature exists on the phenomenon. Social media usage is prevalent among students, as it is incorporated into many health professions education curricula. This poses potential ethical dilemmas. Objective. To examine the nature of social media usage and knowledge of ethical considerations by occupational therapy (OT) students for professional purposes. Methods. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was administered to the entire cohort of OT students (N=128) enrolled at the University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban, South Africa in 2016. Data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 2013 (Microsoft, USA). Results. The most commonly used device to access social media was mobile phones, with WhatsApp and YouTube frequently used for both general and professional purposes. Uses included accessing social media for developing professional skills and knowledge, and in fulfilling academic requirements. Ethical dilemmas were evident among students, who indicated that social media ethical considerations should be incorporated into the curriculum. Conclusion. The study highlighted that most students use some form of social media as part of their professional practice, which has the potential to be used effectively to enhance learning opportunities. Future studies of a qualitative nature could shed light on students' perceptions of social media and practical implications for practice.

Novice Occupational Therapist's Experience of Working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in KwaZulu-Natal

“…The CSOTs sought methods to adapt to the NICU demands, including research using internet and textbook resources and contacting supervisors or mentors. Internet resources are commonly used to enhance professional development, especially in our technological advancing world 39,40,41,42 . They are beneficial to professionals needing to access information rapidly and cost-effectively, especially in rural areas 40 .…”

How occupational therapy practitioners use virtual communities on the Facebook social media platform for professional learning: A critical incident study

“…Thus, a need has been established for tailored, platform-specific research. These calls for more concrete and tangible guidance have also been echoed in the research on students' perspectives [14,15]. Aligned with the calls described above, this study explores the following research question: 'How do occupational therapists use virtual communities ('groups') on Facebook for professional learning?…”

“…Most published empirical research on social media and learning in occupational therapy involves preregistration students [12][13][14][15]. Only two articles have focussed particularly on qualified practitioners [1,3].…”

Reflecting on our society?

“…The use of social media in learning is addressed in another pair of articles. Naidoo et al [5] found that most students in their occupational therapy sample used some form of social media and that participants were aware of the ethical dilemmas inherent in using these media. Osaigbovo and Iwegim [6] report on the use of Instagram and Facebook to complement lectures in the teaching of medical microbiology in Nigeria.…”