197 The utilisation of social media to increase engagement in paediatrics

Abstract

<h3>Aims</h3> Over the last year I set up an instagram page, ‘ThePaedsDoc’, aimed at encouraging medical students and junior doctors to consider a career in Paediatrics and educate them on core child health topics. By creating a lecture series, I have conducted talks to over 35 medical schools up and down the UK. Utilising Social Media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, I have been able to promote, learn and educate. <h3>Methods</h3> I used feedback surveys at my talks to see whether such lectures and interactions via social media have helped students and juniors alike consider Paediatrics as a viable career choice. This was assessed on how confident they felt after the lectures, and if they felt more likely to consider Paediatrics by interactions with my social media network and lecture series. <h3>Results</h3> Having conducted talks to over 35 universities, and nationally with the BMA and widening participation organisations, feedback has shown that my talks have encouraged and empowered the younger generation to conduct a career in Paediatrics. There has been universal positive feedback that by using social media platforms you can help juniors make informed career choices in Medicine is a very valuable tool in education. <h3>Conclusion</h3> My year of conducting lectures, participating in Instagram events and TikToks has really shown me how much a positive impact social media can be in medical education and career motivation. With a year of COVID isolation, and things all going ‘online’, social media has played a massive role in medical education. This market is ever increasing and is the new way medical students and juniors are learning, and as a profession we need to embrace this with open arms and continue to improve such learning resources. My Social Media platform has allowed me to engage with prospective Paediatricans all over the world and allowed me to create vital educational resources, including a guide to MRCPCH Clinicals.