Social Media and Physicians: a Canadian Overview
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Abstract
Background
The use of social media (Facebook, Twitter etc) within the health care sector is becoming of increasing interest to health care providers, consumers and policy makers. While social media is seen as a means of encouraging patient engagement with health care providers, lack of knowledge about social media platforms as well as regulatory and other concerns may limit physician involvement. Information about physician use and acceptance of social media is lacking especially observational data about use in the general physician community. Our objective is to assess Canadian physician use of social media and their attitudes about the perceived value of social media.
Method
A brief online questionnaire was distributed to the ePanel of the Canadian Medical Association in February, 2011 asking about use of popular social media and social networking sites by physicians as well as their perception of social media. The ePanel is a volunteer group of more than 3000 Canadian medical students, residents and practicing and retired physicians who have agreed to answer questions on health care issues.
Results
Research in progress. A total of 629 responses were received (19% response rate). Use of social media in general is low among Canadian physicians and use of social media for professional purposes is limited. While half of those polled have a Facebook account only 12% have a Twitter account and only 7% report having a blog. However 96% report using Google to search for information for professional purpose and 42% say they have participated in an online discussion forum on a medical or health care topic. Physicians have mixed feelings about the value of social media with 81% feeling it poses professional and legal risks but half feeling it helps patients gain a sense of community.
Conclusions
Survey results indicate social media use by physicians is still in its infancy. Physicians question the value of social media and are wary of risks it may pose. However many report seeking guidance in this area and the Canadian Medical Association is in the process of developing guidelines for physicians wishing to use social media.
The use of social media (Facebook, Twitter etc) within the health care sector is becoming of increasing interest to health care providers, consumers and policy makers. While social media is seen as a means of encouraging patient engagement with health care providers, lack of knowledge about social media platforms as well as regulatory and other concerns may limit physician involvement. Information about physician use and acceptance of social media is lacking especially observational data about use in the general physician community. Our objective is to assess Canadian physician use of social media and their attitudes about the perceived value of social media.
Method
A brief online questionnaire was distributed to the ePanel of the Canadian Medical Association in February, 2011 asking about use of popular social media and social networking sites by physicians as well as their perception of social media. The ePanel is a volunteer group of more than 3000 Canadian medical students, residents and practicing and retired physicians who have agreed to answer questions on health care issues.
Results
Research in progress. A total of 629 responses were received (19% response rate). Use of social media in general is low among Canadian physicians and use of social media for professional purposes is limited. While half of those polled have a Facebook account only 12% have a Twitter account and only 7% report having a blog. However 96% report using Google to search for information for professional purpose and 42% say they have participated in an online discussion forum on a medical or health care topic. Physicians have mixed feelings about the value of social media with 81% feeling it poses professional and legal risks but half feeling it helps patients gain a sense of community.
Conclusions
Survey results indicate social media use by physicians is still in its infancy. Physicians question the value of social media and are wary of risks it may pose. However many report seeking guidance in this area and the Canadian Medical Association is in the process of developing guidelines for physicians wishing to use social media.
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