JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Social media has become deeply embedded in medical training, yet its influence on professionalism and the developing professional identity of medical students and early-career doctors remains insufficiently understood, particularly in non-Western contexts.

Objective:

This study explored how emerging healthcare professionals in Sudan perceive and navigate social media in relation to their professional identity.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 432 medical students, interns, early graduates, and residents in Sudan. A structured questionnaire assessed social media usage patterns, attitudes toward online professionalism, related behaviors and experiences, and perceived benefits and risks. Five attitudinal items formed a professionalism perception scale (Cronbach’s α = 0.745). Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using R version 4.4.2.

Results:

Most participants used social media extensively, with over 79% spending at least three hours daily online. Attitudes toward digital professionalism were generally positive: 52% agreed that their online presence reflects their professional identity, and 90% considered maintaining a professional image important. Nearly half had modified or removed posts for professional reasons. The most reported benefits included access to updated medical knowledge (74%) and career development (60%), while common concerns involved misinformation (66%), negative public perception (46%), and confidentiality breaches (46%). Gender differences emerged in daily usage and negative online experiences (p < 0.05), whereas confidence in distinguishing appropriate content showed no significant demographic variations.

Conclusions:

Medical students and early-career doctors in Sudan engage heavily with social media and recognize both its value and its risks for professional identity. These findings highlight the need for structured digital professionalism training and culturally sensitive guidelines to support safe and responsible online engagement. Clinical Trial: Not applicable.