JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The use of social media in healthcare may serve as a beneficial tool for education, information dissemination, telemedicine, research, networking and communications. To better leverage on the benefits of social media, it is imperative to understand the patterns of use and potential barriers to its implementation in healthcare. A previous study in 2016 which investigated social media use among young clinical rheumatologists (45 years and younger) and basic scientists showed that there was substantial use of social media among them for social and professional reasons9. However, there is limited inquiry on social media use amongst different areas in Rheumatology, such as spondyloarthritis.

Objective:

To explore motivations, barriers and patterns of social media use among an international group of clinicians and researchers with an interest in spondyloarthritis.

Methods:

We distributed an online survey via email from March 2021 to June 2021 to 198 members of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS). It contained 24 questions about demographic characteristics, patterns of current social media usage and perceptions of utility. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify characteristics associated with usage patterns.

Results:

The response rate was 78.8% (n=156). Of these, 146 (93.6%) used at least one social media platform. Apart from online shopping and entertainment, usage of social media for clinical updates (OR: 6.25, 95% CI: 2.43 – 16.03) and research updates (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.35 – 8.78) were associated with higher social media consumption. Among the respondents, 103 (66.0%) utilised it in a work-related manner. Usage of social media for new online resources (OR: 6.55, 95% CI: 2.01 – 21.37), interaction with international colleagues (OR: 4.66, 95% CI: 1.21 – 17.90) and establishing an online presence (OR: 4.05, 95% CI: 1.25 – 13.13) were associated with higher levels of consumption for work-related purposes. Time investment, confidentiality concerns and security concerns were the top 3 challenges to a wider adoption of social media.

Conclusions:

Majority of respondents (66.0%) utilise social media in a work-related manner. Professional development, establishing an online presence and international collaboration were associated with higher usage. Challenges to social media adoption should be addressed to maximise its benefits.