Social media use in German visceral surgeons : a cross-sectional study of a national cohort

Bosselmann CM, Griffiths B, Gallagher HJ, Matzel KE, Brady RRW (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Abstract

Engagement in social media is increasing. Medical professionals have been adapting LinkedIn, a professional networking site, and Twitter, a micro-blogging service, for a number of uses. This development has been described for a number of medical specialties, but there remains a paucity of European data. A study was undertaken to measure engagement and activity of German visceral surgeons on social media platforms.Visceral surgeons were identified from 15 regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen) opt-in registers. A manual search was subsequently performed across key professional social media platforms. Presence of a profile and key markers of use were recorded.575 visceral surgeons were identified. 523 (93%) were male. 183 (31%) surgeons engaged in professional social media. 22 (3.8%) used Twitter, producing a mean of 16.43 tweets with a mean of 7.57 followers. 137 (24%) surgeons had a profile on LinkedIn with a mean of 46.36 connections. Female surgeons were less connected on LinkedIn (p<0.005). 60 (10%) used Xing, with a mean of 27.95 connections. There were no significant differences in use of social media between surgeons from Eastern and Western Germany (p=0.262) or male and female surgeons (p=0.399).German visceral surgeons are less engaged and less active on social media than previously examined cohorts. Loco-regional, cultural, demographic and regulatory matters may have a significant influence on uptake. If this surgical cohort wishes to have a wider international presence then education on the potential benefits of these tools may be needed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Involved external institutions

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Bosselmann, C.M., Griffiths, B., Gallagher, H.J., Matzel, K.E., & Brady, R.R.W. (2017). Social media use in German visceral surgeons : a cross-sectional study of a national cohort. Colorectal Disease. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/codi.13839

MLA:

Bosselmann, C. M., et al. "Social media use in German visceral surgeons : a cross-sectional study of a national cohort." Colorectal Disease (2017).

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