Abstract
Objective To assess ophthalmology trainees' self-reported use of and attitudes toward social
media.
Methods An online survey was distributed by email to ophthalmology residency applicants of
the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between September 2016 and January 2020.
Results Of the 1,688 email recipients, the survey was filled by 208 ophthalmology trainees
(12.3%). Nearly all trainees reported using social media for personal purposes (92.3%),
while less than half used social media for professional purposes (43.4%). There were
mixed sentiments regarding the impact of social media on the patient–physician relationship,
with the majority feeling that it challenges a physician's authority (55.2%) but also
empowers the patient (57.5%) and encourages shared care (92.8%). Twenty-five percent
of trainees had reviewed professional social media guidelines, and most rated the
quality of medical information on social media as “poor” (60.9%). There were low rates
of trainees looking up patients (13.8%), providing their account information to patients
(1.5%), responding to patients' messages (2.6%), following patients' accounts (2.6%),
and being followed by patients (2.6%).
Conclusion The majority of ophthalmology trainees are active on social media. As these trainees
enter practice, ophthalmology will likely see a rise in social media use. Training
programs should consider a formal social media policy that is shared with all trainees
as part of their education.
Keywords
social media - ophthalmology - residency
