Social media for radiologists: an introduction

Abstract

Social media, which can be defined as dynamic and interactive online communication forums, are becoming increasingly popular, not only for the general public but also for radiologists. In addition to assisting radiologists in finding useful profession-related information and interactive educational material in all kinds of formats, they can also contribute towards improving communication with peers, clinicians, and patients. The growing use of social networking in healthcare also has an impact on the visibility and engagement of radiologists in the online virtual community. Although many radiologists are already using social media, a large number of our colleagues are still unaware of the wide spectrum of useful information and interaction available via social media and of the added value these platforms can bring to daily practice. For many, the risk of mixing professional and private data by using social media creates a feeling of insecurity, which still keeps radiologists from using them. In this overview we aim to provide information on the potential benefits, challenges, and inherent risks of social media for radiologists. We will provide a summary of the different types of social media that can be of value for radiologists, including useful tips on how to use them safely and efficiently.Main Messages• Online social networking enhances communication and collaboration between peers• Social media facilitate access to educational and scientific information• Recommendations and guidelines from policymakers and professional organisations are needed• Applications are desired for efficient and secure exchange of medical images in social media

Radiologists’ Usage of Social Media: Results of the RANSOM Survey

“…From our study, it appears that among US-based radiologists Twitter outstrips LinkedIn for professional usage. Twitter does have the advantage of being a more flexible medium for sharing thoughts and actively engaging in discussions or so-called tweet-chats [14]. Analysis of Twitter traffic by the analytics platform Symplur (http:// www.symplur.com) demonstrates that about 3.5 times as many US radiologists are using Twitter as their European counterparts (personal communication, June 24, 2015).…”

Proper use of social media by health operators in the pediatric oncohematological setting: Consensus statement from the Italian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Association (AIEOP)

“…The some studies sought to provide guidance on the type of behavior to avoid (e.g., do not share confidential patient information; do not share negative reactions; do not believe everything you read; do not consider social media as a substitute for scientific publications), and also on potentially appropriate behavior (e.g., be selective in deciding who you acknowledge as “friends” on your profile; promote your work with other professionals, colleagues and friends; double‐check all content before sharing it; share content without any hidden agenda) …”

Facebook as a tool to promote radiology education: expanding from a local community of medical students to all of South America

“…Social media other than Facebook (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube) have also contributed to the dissemination of medical education (6,7) . Because they are free resources, social media facilitate interactivity and information sharing.…”