Attitudes Toward and Use of Social Media Among Urologists
CUA Online Library. Leveridge M. 06/22/13; 31452; UP-73
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Abstract
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Attitudes Toward and Use of Social Media Among Urologists
Introduction and Objectives: Social media (SoMe) services have become ubiquitous, but their role in the context of medical practice is underappreciated. We sought to understand the attitudes and practices of urologists regarding SoMe use.
Methods: A survey was sent to all active members of the Canadian Urological Association by email and surface mail. Likert scales were used to assess engagement in SoMe, as well as attitudes toward physician responsibilities, privacy concerns and patient interaction online.
Results: Of 504 surveys delivered, 229 were completed (45.4%). Urologists reported frequent or daily personal and professional SoMe use in 26% and 8% of cases. Personal, but not professional, use was higher in those in practice <10 years compared to >20 years (p=0.006); there were no differences between paper (n=103) or online (n=126;p>0.05) submissions. Among frequent SoMe users, YouTube (86%), Facebook (76%), and Twitter (41%) were most commonly used; 12% post content or links frequently to these sites. The most common perceived roles of SoMe in health care were for inter-professional communication (67%) or as a simple information repository (59%); online patient interaction was endorsed by 14% of urologists. Fewer than 19% had read published guidelines for online patient interaction, and ≤64% were unaware of their existence. 94.6% agreed that physicians need to exercise caution personal SoMe posting, although 57% felt that medical regulatory bodies should “stay out of [their] personal SoMe activities”, especially those in practice <10 years (p=0.001). 56% agreed that SoMe integration in medical practice will be “impossible” due to privacy and boundary issues; 73% felt that online interaction with patients would become unavoidable in the future, especially those in practice >20 years (p=0.02).
Conclusions: Practicing urologists engage infrequently in SoMe activities, and are almost universal in avoiding SoMe for professional use. Most feel that SoMe is best kept to exchanges between colleagues. Younger urologists are more commonly involved in personal SoMe activity and seem more likely to envision its future impact.
Introduction and Objectives: Social media (SoMe) services have become ubiquitous, but their role in the context of medical practice is underappreciated. We sought to understand the attitudes and practices of urologists regarding SoMe use.
Methods: A survey was sent to all active members of the Canadian Urological Association by email and surface mail. Likert scales were used to assess engagement in SoMe, as well as attitudes toward physician responsibilities, privacy concerns and patient interaction online.
Results: Of 504 surveys delivered, 229 were completed (45.4%). Urologists reported frequent or daily personal and professional SoMe use in 26% and 8% of cases. Personal, but not professional, use was higher in those in practice <10 years compared to >20 years (p=0.006); there were no differences between paper (n=103) or online (n=126;p>0.05) submissions. Among frequent SoMe users, YouTube (86%), Facebook (76%), and Twitter (41%) were most commonly used; 12% post content or links frequently to these sites. The most common perceived roles of SoMe in health care were for inter-professional communication (67%) or as a simple information repository (59%); online patient interaction was endorsed by 14% of urologists. Fewer than 19% had read published guidelines for online patient interaction, and ≤64% were unaware of their existence. 94.6% agreed that physicians need to exercise caution personal SoMe posting, although 57% felt that medical regulatory bodies should “stay out of [their] personal SoMe activities”, especially those in practice <10 years (p=0.001). 56% agreed that SoMe integration in medical practice will be “impossible” due to privacy and boundary issues; 73% felt that online interaction with patients would become unavoidable in the future, especially those in practice >20 years (p=0.02).
Conclusions: Practicing urologists engage infrequently in SoMe activities, and are almost universal in avoiding SoMe for professional use. Most feel that SoMe is best kept to exchanges between colleagues. Younger urologists are more commonly involved in personal SoMe activity and seem more likely to envision its future impact.
Attitudes Toward and Use of Social Media Among Urologists
Introduction and Objectives: Social media (SoMe) services have become ubiquitous, but their role in the context of medical practice is underappreciated. We sought to understand the attitudes and practices of urologists regarding SoMe use.
Methods: A survey was sent to all active members of the Canadian Urological Association by email and surface mail. Likert scales were used to assess engagement in SoMe, as well as attitudes toward physician responsibilities, privacy concerns and patient interaction online.
Results: Of 504 surveys delivered, 229 were completed (45.4%). Urologists reported frequent or daily personal and professional SoMe use in 26% and 8% of cases. Personal, but not professional, use was higher in those in practice <10 years compared to >20 years (p=0.006); there were no differences between paper (n=103) or online (n=126;p>0.05) submissions. Among frequent SoMe users, YouTube (86%), Facebook (76%), and Twitter (41%) were most commonly used; 12% post content or links frequently to these sites. The most common perceived roles of SoMe in health care were for inter-professional communication (67%) or as a simple information repository (59%); online patient interaction was endorsed by 14% of urologists. Fewer than 19% had read published guidelines for online patient interaction, and ≤64% were unaware of their existence. 94.6% agreed that physicians need to exercise caution personal SoMe posting, although 57% felt that medical regulatory bodies should “stay out of [their] personal SoMe activities”, especially those in practice <10 years (p=0.001). 56% agreed that SoMe integration in medical practice will be “impossible” due to privacy and boundary issues; 73% felt that online interaction with patients would become unavoidable in the future, especially those in practice >20 years (p=0.02).
Conclusions: Practicing urologists engage infrequently in SoMe activities, and are almost universal in avoiding SoMe for professional use. Most feel that SoMe is best kept to exchanges between colleagues. Younger urologists are more commonly involved in personal SoMe activity and seem more likely to envision its future impact.
Introduction and Objectives: Social media (SoMe) services have become ubiquitous, but their role in the context of medical practice is underappreciated. We sought to understand the attitudes and practices of urologists regarding SoMe use.
Methods: A survey was sent to all active members of the Canadian Urological Association by email and surface mail. Likert scales were used to assess engagement in SoMe, as well as attitudes toward physician responsibilities, privacy concerns and patient interaction online.
Results: Of 504 surveys delivered, 229 were completed (45.4%). Urologists reported frequent or daily personal and professional SoMe use in 26% and 8% of cases. Personal, but not professional, use was higher in those in practice <10 years compared to >20 years (p=0.006); there were no differences between paper (n=103) or online (n=126;p>0.05) submissions. Among frequent SoMe users, YouTube (86%), Facebook (76%), and Twitter (41%) were most commonly used; 12% post content or links frequently to these sites. The most common perceived roles of SoMe in health care were for inter-professional communication (67%) or as a simple information repository (59%); online patient interaction was endorsed by 14% of urologists. Fewer than 19% had read published guidelines for online patient interaction, and ≤64% were unaware of their existence. 94.6% agreed that physicians need to exercise caution personal SoMe posting, although 57% felt that medical regulatory bodies should “stay out of [their] personal SoMe activities”, especially those in practice <10 years (p=0.001). 56% agreed that SoMe integration in medical practice will be “impossible” due to privacy and boundary issues; 73% felt that online interaction with patients would become unavoidable in the future, especially those in practice >20 years (p=0.02).
Conclusions: Practicing urologists engage infrequently in SoMe activities, and are almost universal in avoiding SoMe for professional use. Most feel that SoMe is best kept to exchanges between colleagues. Younger urologists are more commonly involved in personal SoMe activity and seem more likely to envision its future impact.
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