Social Media For Professional Purposes Research Articles

The Relationship Between Social Media Use, Nurse Characteristics, and Job Decision-Making.

To describe nurses' use of social media and examine the relationship between social media use, nurse characteristics, and job decision-making. Social media shares information, connects, and influences thought. A gap remains in understanding how nurses use social media for professional purposes. A national survey of RNs and advanced practice RNs included demographics, questions about which social media platforms respondents use personally and professionally, and engagement activities on each platform. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Cramér's V test, and binomial logistic regression. Eight hundred twelve nurses participated. Platforms and activities used by nurses varied significantly by age, job title, and employment. The majority (61%) of respondents were satisfied or highly satisfied with their job, yet about one-third intended to leave their position or organization within 1 to 12 months. Nurse leaders should adopt a strategic, data-informed approach to leverage social media in attracting and retaining a diverse nursing workforce.

Tracking the information-seeking patterns and preferences of US-based medical oncologists (MOs): A 2-year longitudinal assessment.

e21012 Background: The rapid pace of scientific advancement demands that community-based MOs continually access new information and effectively apply it in their clinical practices to improve long-term patient outcomes. A variety of dissemination vehicles are currently available to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, including continuing medical education (CME) activities. Despite the significant resources allocated for the development of these modalities, little definitive data is available documenting MOs’ preference for, utilization of and perspectives on the benefits and limitations of CME. This longitudinal assessment sought to establish a baseline understanding of MOs’ patterns of engagement with CME activities following the upheaval caused by COVID, and gauge if and/or how this has shifted as the pandemic has subsided further. Methods: In April 2022 a 56-question online survey was distributed to 4,623 US-based MOs from a proprietary database. A small honorarium was offered for participation. Responses were collected from 83 MOs. A 2-year follow up assessment is planned for April 2024 to track changes in preferences and participation. Results: 83% of MOs “agree” or “strongly agree” that the pace of oncology advancements is quicker now than it was in the past yet only 25% spend more time accessing CME. On average, MOs dedicate 6 hours a week to seeking oncology-related information, in which utilization of CME activities is included. MOs believe CME activities are useful for helping to stay up to date with advances in oncology (3.5 on a 1-5 scale) and 55% believe the application of new and emerging therapies within oncology would be slower if CME was no longer available. MOs are most interested in CME activities featuring practically oriented topics including recently presented clinical trial findings , molecular testing and analysis and treatment sequencing . Notably, the highest-ranking MO consideration for participation in a CME program was the topic, followed by faculty and then the length of the activity. In terms of length, MOs preferred 30-to-60-minute programs rather than shorter (15 minutes or less). All surveyed MOs utilize some form of CME with preferences varying for different virtual, live in-person and enduring formats. Despite its wide-scale proliferation, only 34% of MOs use social media for professional purposes including accessing oncology education. Conclusions: MOs value CME activities and utilize both in-person and virtual programs on a regular basis. As concerns over COVID have diminished, it is predicted that established interest in asynchronous forms of education will wane with an increased shift toward in-person meetings. The results of this longitudinal study are critical to ensure that oncology CME resources are designed to effectively convey needed information and in turn positively affect patient care.

Social Media Use by Vietnamese Journalists: Current Status and Solutions

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate to contribute to more clarity on the current status and solutions of social media use by Vietnamese journalists. Theoretical Framwork: The study uses a survey research framework to collect detailed data. Method: Using qualitative and quantitative social research methods this study surveyed 55 Vietnamese journalists from all four media types: print, online, radio, and television. Results and Discussion: The study found that the majority of Vietnamese journalists use social media, but their use varies in terms of the content they share, their privacy settings, and their use of social media for professional purposes. The results of the survey show that 78.2% of Vietnamese journalists see social media platforms as journalistic tools, while 21.8% do not. Research Implications: This research is discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of Journalistic practices. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the novelty of Vietnamese journalists' approach to social media in practice (the surveyed group). The study sheds light on the impact of social media communication on journalistic practices. This study contributes to the research and understanding of how Vietnamese journalists use social media platforms in the current context.

Professional Social Media Use Among Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeons in Germany: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study.

Social media (SM) has been recognized as a professional communication tool in the field of orthopedic and trauma surgery that can enhance communication with patients and peers, and increase the visibility of research and offered services. The specific purposes of professional SM use and the benefits and concerns among orthopedic and trauma surgeons, however, remain unexplored. This study aims to demonstrate the specific uses of different SM platforms among orthopedic and trauma surgeons in Germany as well as the advantages and concerns. A web-based questionnaire was developed on the use of SM in a professional context by considering the current literature and the authors' topics of interest. The final questionnaire consisted of 33 questions and was distributed among German orthopedic and trauma surgeons via the mail distributor of the Berufsverband für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (Professional Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Germany). The study was conducted between June and July 2022. A subgroup analysis was performed for sex (male vs female), age (<60 years vs ≥60 years), and type of workplace (practice vs hospital). A total of 208 participants answered the questionnaire (male: n=166, 79.8%; younger than 60 years: n=146, 70.2%). In total, all of the participants stated that they use SM for professional purposes. In contrast, the stated specific uses of SM were low. Overall, the most used platforms were employment-oriented SM, messenger apps, and Facebook. Instagram emerged as a popular choice among female participants and participants working in hospital settings. The highest specific use of SM was for professional networking, followed by receiving and sharing health-related information. The lowest specific use was for education and the acquisition of patients. Conventional websites occupied a dominating position, exceeding the use of SM across all specific uses. The key benefit of SM was professional networking. Under 50% of the participants stated that SM could be used to enhance communication with their patients, keep up-to-date, or increase their professional visibility. In total, 65.5% (112/171) of participants stated that SM use was time-consuming, 43.9% (76/173) stated that they lacked application knowledge, and 45.1% (78/173) stated that they did not know what content to post. Additionally, 52.9% (91/172) mentioned medicolegal concerns. Overall, SM did not seem to be used actively in the professional context among orthopedic and trauma surgeons in Germany. The stated advantages were low, while the stated concerns were high. Adequate education and information material are needed to elucidate the possible professional applications of SM and to address legal concerns.

Beyond the Profile: Examining Social Media's Influence on Professional Relationships

The research paper titled "Beyond the Profile: Exploring Social Media's Impact on Professional Relationships" delves into how social media has transformed professional networking and relationships. It aims to Investigate the changes in how professionals establish and maintain connections in their fields due to social media platforms. Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of using social media for professional purposes like networking, career growth, client interactions, and industry involvement. Examine the risks and negative consequences of blurring personal and professional boundaries through social media. Offer insights and recommendations for individuals and organizations to maximize social media's benefits while managing potential risks and fostering a positive work environment. The research involved surveying professionals from various industries, including students, freelancers, influencers, and others, using quantitative data collection methods like multiple-choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. The analysis of this data aimed to reveal how social media has reshaped professional networking and relationships, highlighting both its advantages and potential pitfalls.

The role of social media in the professional sphere of Finnish registered dietitians.

With the widespread use of social media, understanding how healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, utilise these platforms for their work has gained interest. The aim of the current study was to describe how Finnish registered dietitians utilise various social media channels for professional purposes. The study also investigated the perceived social media skills of dietitians. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey administered between December 2022 and February 2023. The participants were 107 Finnish registered dietitians who held a master's degree suitable for the profession. The Fisher's exact test was employed for categorical variables, whereas the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for ordinal variables with multiple groups. Out of the 107 participants, 62 (58%) reported using social media for professional purposes. The primary purposes across various social media channels were interaction with colleagues (80%) on Facebook, networking with professionals from other fields (86%) on LinkedIn and general monitoring of the field on Instagram (91%), Twitter (77%) and YouTube (58%). Dietitians' perceived social media skills were found to have a statistically significant relationship with age (p < 0.05) for all channels, except Twitter. The findings suggest that Finnish dietitians predominantly utilise social media for passive monitoring of the field, rather than actively sharing content with the public. Professional communication tends to take place within their own professional groups. Incorporating social media use into the official job description could serve as an encouraging factor to enhance the professional utilisation of social media among dietitians.

Role of Social Media In Business Management Students’ Communication Skills

This study explores the role of social media in business management students' communication skills. Specifically, the study aims to answer ten research questions related to social media use, benefits and challenges, perceptions, improvements, engagement, workplace attitudes, communication patterns and behaviours, training strategies, and academic performance. Quantitative and qualitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, and social media analysis, were utilized to gather data from business management students. The findings suggest that social media is widely used by business management students for communication purposes, with a preference for certain platforms. Business management students recognize the benefits of social media but also acknowledge challenges such as privacy and security concerns. The use of social media in communication positively influences engagement among students, but improvements in multimedia content creation and knowledge of privacy and security settings are needed. The survey findings suggest that business management students can benefit from several recommendations to effectively use social media for professional purposes. They should prioritize engaging in conversations, invest in multimedia content creation and promotions, increase their knowledge of privacy settings, improve their proficiency in social media analytics, participate in online courses, and seek opportunities to collaborate. By following these recommendations, students can leverage social media in their professional lives, enhance their communication skills, and adapt to changes in the business environment.

Periodontists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the use of social media for professional purposes in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThere is a notable increase in the usage of social media platforms, especially for health communication, as more clinicians and patients count on this kind of technology. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the perception and attitude toward social media (SM) use for professionalism and dental practice promotion among periodontal specialists working in Saudi Arabia (KSA).MethodsElectronic surveys were distributed in person or online using WhatsApp, Snapchat or Email from October 2022 until March 2023. The questionnaire was targeting periodontists in KSA, and it consists of three parts: the first part includes sociodemographic and professional data; the second part asks about the daily usage of SM in dental practice; and the third part asks about the periodontist's opinion about SM usage. Descriptive data were presented as numbers and percentages. The association between the demographic variables and the means of periodontists’ opinions was tested using Pearson’s chi-square test. Any value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 121 responses were received from the periodontists. Most of the participants were in the 36–45 age group, with a percentage of 40.5%. In terms of gender, males made up 52.9% of the population, while females made up 47.1%, and the majority of the participants were consultants. The most common SM platform used by periodontists for daily using and dental practice promotion was Snapchat (56.2%), followed by Instagram and Twitter (54.5% and 49.6%, respectively). There was a significant difference in proportions among Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok between older and younger periodontists, with a p value < 0.05. There was no significant difference between the gender of the participants and their opinions regarding the usage of SM.ConclusionsThis study highlighted the effectiveness of SM in the promotion of dental practices and the discipline of periodontics, as more clinicians and patients rely on this kind of technology. These online platforms can improve periodontal practice in terms of dental health education, counseling, advertising, and oral health services.

Social media use among French spine surgeons: an underrated tool?

PurposeThe goal of this study was to determine the use of social media (SM) among the French spine surgeons. MethodsIn 2022, an online questionnaire has been sent to the community of French spine surgeons. All surgeons were asked to answer a 21-question survey about their use of SM in their daily practice. ResultsEighty-five surgeons were included, with 80% claiming to use SM. Mean age was 45 ± 10.7. Usage rate significantly differed among experience categories: 85% of younger surgeons and 69% after ten years of experience (p = 0.01). LinkedIn was the most commonly used (78% among SM users), then Facebook (46%). Instagram was less used by most experienced surgeons (p = 0.01). Time spent on SM was more important at home (p < 0.01). About 31% of participants' patients were able to contact their surgeon through SM, mainly through LinkedIn, professional websites and Facebook (respectively 15%, 13% and 12%). Pictural data were shared on SM by 29% of SM users, mainly on LinkedIn (19%), then professional websites (12%). Google reviews were significantly less valued by most experienced surgeons (p = 0.01) but more valued by private practice surgeons (p = 0.009). Conclusion80% of French spine surgeons use social media for professional purposes. However, SM may not be used to its full potential as only 25% of SM-using broadcast pictures and contact their patients through SM. The most popular network is LinkedIn, followed by Facebook. Most experienced surgeons use less SM, particularly Instagram, and value less Google reviews.

Helping fourth year student pharmacists develop their professional brand

Background and purposeBuilding a professional brand is an important skill for student pharmacists, as this could provide them with a competitive edge given the current market environment and employment opportunities. One way to do this is through developing a personal digital brand. A pilot program was created to introduce fourth year pharmacy students to the basics of personal branding and positive uses of social media for professional development and networking. Educational activity and settingA two-part workshop series was developed to introduce student pharmacists to the concept of personal digital branding and to help them optimize their professional documents (i.e. curricula vitae, resumes, and letters of intent). The workshops were offered in a virtual format and involved subject matter experts as well as alumni stakeholders. Students were asked to participate in pre- and post-surveys relating to their perceptions of professional branding and the usefulness of the workshop series. FindingsPrior to the workshops, students expressed a moderate interest in using social media for professional purposes, yet few felt confident in how to do so. Following the workshops, students indicated the information provided had been beneficial, and they all had action plans for developing their social media profiles and revising their professional documents. SummaryInitial findings suggested students are interested in and would benefit from training on professional branding. While this first attempt at such programming had limitations, such as being delivered to a small sample, the results provide insights for expanding and improving these offerings in the future.

Like, Comment, and Share: Speech-Language Pathologists' Use of Social Media for Clinical Decision Making.

Many social media sites are dedicated for speech-language pathologists (SLPs); however, the extent to which SLPs utilize them in clinical decision making and evidence-based practice (EBP) is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore SLPs' use of traditional and modern resources, including social media, within clinical decision making for assessment and intervention practices. Using a stratified random sampling approach, we invited school-based SLPs in Florida and Ohio and on pediatric-focused, SLP Facebook sites to complete an online survey. The majority (N = 271) reported using social media for professional purposes at least once per week: most frequently Facebook (19-25% of SLPs) or Pinterest (15-18% of SLPs) to learn about new treatment ideas or resources for (12-18%) or read others' summaries of treatment-related research (8-11%), but rarely to pose or answer a clinical question (3-5%). The number of reasons for one's professional social media use was moderately correlated with frequency of social media use, traditional EBP training, and reading a greater number of articles from ASHA and other sources. The results warrant further consideration of how to leverage social media as a tool to increase SLPs' knowledge and implementation of EBP.

An examination on the views of preschool teachers on the use of social media for professional development

Social media creating a feeling of freedom in getting news, providing rapid access to information, and transforming its users into content producers in line with its usage purposes is a source of inspiration for many individuals from many professional fields. After the pandemic pandemic, teachers are among the user profiles that actively use social media. The purpose of this study is to examine the views of preschool teachers on the use of social media for professional development. The research was designed with the qualitative research method and case study. The sample of this study consists of twenty-five early childhood education teachers. The data were analyzed by descriptive analysis technique. As a result of the data analysis, it was found that preschool preschool teachers used social media platforms for professional development and benefited from these platforms effectively. Teachers emphasize that social media has an important contribution to their professional development, but they also state that one should be careful against disinformation. It is recommended that teachers be provided with media literacy training and that teachers should be conscious about acting in accordance with children's rights and ethical principles when using social media for professional purposes.

Evaluation of Social Media Usage by Dental Practitioners of Pakistan for Professional Purposes - A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundIn the past couple of years, the use of social media has been on a tremendous rise with greater attention in the field of healthcare, including dentistry. The use of social media for professional purposes is emphasized as unprofessional use can be detrimental. This study aims to evaluate the use of social media by dentists for professional purposes.Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2021 and March 2022. An online questionnaire was formulated using Google Forms and distributed to the dental professionals through various social media platforms such as Twitter©, Facebook©, Instagram©, Snapchat©, WhatsApp©, and Email©. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics and questions about the use of social media for professional purposes. For data analysis, SPSS version 25.0 was used, where a multiple linear regression test was used to compare the responses of the participants with their demographic characteristics. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsA total of 404 dentists participated in this study with a response rate of 89.7%. The majority of the 276 (68.3%) dentists believed to have a professional account to use social media for professional purposes. Most of the 280 (69.3%) dentists agreed social media improved knowledge and communication skills with the patients. About 248 (61.4%) dentists considered the use of social media for general purposes during clinical hours led to wastage of time. About 160 (39.6%) dentists considered connecting with patients on social media to be inappropriate.ConclusionThe use of social media is on the rise at a tremendous rate in different fields of work, including dentistry. Social media is a great tool for dentists to help expand and grow their clinical practice. However, the professional use and ethics whilst using social media should be considered by the dentists.

Scandinavian Nurses' Use of Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Berger and Luckman Inspired Analysis of a Qualitative Interview Study.

There is a knowledge gap about nurses’ use of social media in relation to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which demands the upholding of a physical distance to other people, including patients and their relatives. The study aims to explore how nurses in the Scandinavian countries used social media for professional purposes in relation to the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 30 nurses in three Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) were conducted. Thematic analyses were made, methodically inspired by Braun and Clarke, and theoretically inspired by Berger and Luckmann’s theory about the construction of social reality. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist was used. The results showed that social media was a socialisation tool for establishing new routines in clinical practice. Virtual meeting places supported collective understandings of a specific COVID-19 ‘reality’ and ‘knowledge’ amongst nurses, with the pandemic bringing to the fore the issue of e-professionalism among nurses relating to their clinical practice. However, social media and virtual education were not commonly used in patient contacts. Further, nurses attempted a re-socialisation of the public to proper COVID-19 behaviour through social media. Moreover, blurred boundaries between acting as a private individual and a professional nurse were identified, where ethics of the nursing profession extended to nurses’ private lives.

The paradox of using public social media for work: The influence of after-hours work communication on employee outcomes

This study examined employees’ after-hours work-related social media communication through the lens of their consumption, contribution, creation, and conversation, and it explored in great depth the paradoxes inherent in how employees use public social media for professional purposes outside of normal working hours. Specifically, this study investigated the effect of work-related social media use (WRSMU) outside regular work hours on various employee outcomes. An online survey was conducted with 815 employees in the U.S. The findings revealed two opposing mechanisms through which after-hours WRSMU affected employees’ work engagement. On the one hand, WRSMU was positively related to organizational identification, which in turn positively affected work engagement. On the other hand, after-hours WRSMU also led to more work-family conflict, which in turn decreased work engagement.

Adjusting sails for changing winds: exploring Reddit use for professional purposes in higher education.

Emerging practices of social media for professional purposes in higher education merit further attention. Reddit, a social media platform, is under-studied despite its significant presence. This study explores participation patterns on Reddit for two summer periods during 2019–2020, before and during COVID-19. We collected a total of 82,494 contributions from two subreddits, r/highereducation and r/Professors. Results show changes in contributions and interactions, with more consistent growth in r/Professors. Major topics discussed in both subreddits during summer 2020 had shifted from 2019, largely related to COVID-19. Findings are discussed with a community of practice lens, noting changes in participation and adjustment to the crisis. Additionally, we present implications for supporting and sustaining higher education professionals through Reddit during and after massive disruptions like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What's in it for me and you? Exploring managerial perceptions of employees' work-related social media use

PurposeThis study focuses on managers' perceptions of employees' communicative role in social media, and explores the changes in the contractual nature of employment relations in mediatized workplaces in which the boundaries of professional and private life are becoming more fluid.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was employed to explore this relatively new phenomenon. The data, comprising 24 interviews with managers responsible for corporate communication and human resources in knowledge-intensive organizations, was thematically analysed.FindingsThe analysis shows that employees' work-related social media use creates new types of exchanges and dependencies between an organization and individual employees, which relate to employees' representation, knowledge and networks.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to examine the exchanges and dependencies in an employment relationship that emerge from increased use of social media for professional purposes.

The use of social media for professional purposes by healthcare professionals: the #intEHRAct survey.

Social media (SoMe) represents a medium of communication in everyday life and has gained importance for professional use among clinicians. In the #intEHRAct survey, we aimed to describe the use of SoMe by the healthcare community in a professional setting. The EHRA e-Communication Committee and the Scientific Initiatives Committee prepared a questionnaire and distributed it via newsletters, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. The survey consisted of 19 questions made on an individual basis and collected anonymously. Two hundred and eighty-five responders from 35 countries (72.3% male, age 49 ± 11 years old) completed the survey. Most respondents (42.7%) declared to use SoMe as passive users while 38.3% and 19.0% declared to share content on a non-daily and daily basis, respectively. The respondents estimated they spent a median of 5 (Q1-Q3: 2-10) h per week on SoMe. The most widely used SoMe was LinkedIn (60.8%), but the use of each platform was heterogeneous between countries. Among the advantages of SoMe, respondents indicated the chance of being updated on recent publications (66.0%), networking (48.5%), and the availability of rare or interesting cases (47.9%) as the most useful. Regarding the disadvantages of SoMe, the respondents underlined the loss of personal contact (40.7%), the inability to get 'hands-on' training (38.7%), and the lack of control regarding quality of scientific evidence (37.1%). Social media is increasingly used for professional purposes for scientific updating, networking, and case-based learning. The results of this survey encourage scientific societies, journals, and authors to enhance the quality, reach and impact of scientific content provided through SoMe.

Self-Reported Social Media Use among Ophthalmology Residents

Abstract Objective To assess ophthalmology trainees' self-reported use of and attitudes toward social media. Methods An online survey was distributed by email to ophthalmology residency applicants of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between September 2016 and January 2020. Results Of the 1,688 email recipients, the survey was filled by 208 ophthalmology trainees (12.3%). Nearly all trainees reported using social media for personal purposes (92.3%), while less than half used social media for professional purposes (43.4%). There were mixed sentiments regarding the impact of social media on the patient–physician relationship, with the majority feeling that it challenges a physician's authority (55.2%) but also empowers the patient (57.5%) and encourages shared care (92.8%). Twenty-five percent of trainees had reviewed professional social media guidelines, and most rated the quality of medical information on social media as “poor” (60.9%). There were low rates of trainees looking up patients (13.8%), providing their account information to patients (1.5%), responding to patients' messages (2.6%), following patients' accounts (2.6%), and being followed by patients (2.6%). Conclusion The majority of ophthalmology trainees are active on social media. As these trainees enter practice, ophthalmology will likely see a rise in social media use. Training programs should consider a formal social media policy that is shared with all trainees as part of their education.

The use of social media for professional purposes among dentists in Saudi Arabia

AimTo investigate the dentists’ opinions towards social media (SM) use in daily practice and the expected limitations from its use in Saudi Arabia.MethodsAn electronic survey was carried out throughout May–June 2020 among a sample of dentists in Saudi Arabia. The survey covered three parts: the first part covered professional and demographic information, the second part covered the use of mobile phones and SM in dental practice, while the third part assessed dentists’ opinion on SM use. Descriptive statistics included frequency distributions and percentages and independent t test/ANOVA test for the relationship between the mean of dentists’ opinion towards SM and demographic variables. A p value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe majority of respondents (80%) believe that SM plays an active role in patients’ decisions regarding the selection of a healthcare provider. The mean dentists’ opinion scores on the use of SM were significantly lower among participants working more than 50 h per week compared with other participants (p = 0.014).ConclusionThe majority of sampled dentists believe that SM plays an active role in patients’ decisions regarding the healthcare provider’s selection. Directed campaigns can help dentists optimize the use of SM for both professional and personal purposes.