Twitter is fast becoming a central way of imparting knowledge in gastroenterology for students and veteran practitioners alike, according to findings from a survey of more than 230 gastroenterologists and other GI-focused providers who use the social media app.
“The use of social media as an educational and networking platform is rapidly growing among health care professionals, with Twitter being a preferred media for gastroenterologists,” noted Aline Charabaty, MD, the director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Johns Hopkins’ Sibley Memorial Hospital, in Baltimore, and her colleagues.
The researchers put out a call for responses to their survey through the official accounts of #MondayNightIBD and #ScopingSundays, two educational events launched by Dr. Charabaty that are popular among Twitter-savvy gastroenterology providers.
Responses from 237 practitioners presented in a poster at the virtual Digestive Disease Week 2021 (abstract Sa651) showed that 26% were IBD specialists, 9% were advanced endoscopists, 26% were general gastroenterologists/hepatologists or surgeons, 33% were fellows or trainees, and 6% were other practitioners, including advanced practice providers, pharmacists, psychiatrists, nutritionists and nurses. Roughly 75% of respondents indicated they practiced in an academic hospital or medical center, and the remainder said they worked in a community hospital or clinic, or in government or private practice.
Dr. Charabaty’s team found that 61% of respondents said they actively participated in gastroenterology-focused forums, and 21% said they have led GI-focused conversations on Twitter.
“The success of these educational platforms is likely due in part to the interactive and open-access format that facilitates effective learner engagement and a sense of community,” said the researchers, reporting that 95% of respondents strongly agreed that GI learning events on Twitter provide a sense of collegiality and community.
When asked about the impact of Twitter-based education compared with traditional modes of education, from textbooks to grand rounds and conferences, respondents reported that Twitter was second only to gastroenterology journals.
Respondents pointed to several benefits they derive from #MondayNightIBD and #ScopingSundays, ranging from greater access to experts in the field to improved knowledge of evidence-based treatment strategies and practical considerations in patient management that are not discussed in guidelines and textbooks.
They also reported that these events helped them better navigate challenging cases, interpret the clinical impact of new and emerging data, better understand disease processes, diagnostic workup and patient perspectives, and improve their ability to collaborate on multidisciplinary teams and communicate with patients.
—David Wild