Defining a mismatch: differences in usage of social networking sites between medical students and the faculty who teach them.
BACKGROUND
Use of social networking sites (SNS) by medical students is increasing, and some students lack awareness of pitfalls arising from the intersection of social networking and medicine. Many institutions have developed guidelines on using SNS, but they are insufficient for students. Educators need new methods to train students on the appropriate use of this technology, but more information is needed before implementing change.


PURPOSES
Differences in SNS usage between students and faculty were examined. The goal was to evaluate four content areas: SNS usage patterns, attitudes regarding activity on SNS, experience with patient interactions online, and awareness of institutional guidelines on use of SNS.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey took place at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, in 2012. Participants included all students and a cohort of faculty who teach them in a class on professionalism.


RESULTS
The response rate was 42% by students (300/711) and 78% by faculty (31/40). Of the students, 94% use SNS, compared to 48% of faculty. Students were more likely than faculty to display content they would not want patients to see (57% vs. 27%), report seeing inappropriate content on colleagues' SNS profiles (64% vs. 42%), and ignore harmful postings by colleagues (25% vs. 7%). Faculty were more likely than students to have been approached by patients on SNS (53% vs. 3%). Most participants were unlikely to conduct Internet searches on patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Students are more likely than faculty to use SNS and use it very differently than faculty. Students would benefit from training on appropriate use of SNS. Topics that should be addressed include editing one's online presence, managing friend requests from patients, dealing with colleagues who post harmful content, conducting Internet searches on patients, and discussion of boundaries to identify potential harms associated with SNS usage. Differences in usage between students and faculty raise questions if faculty are well suited to provide this training.
['Brisson|Gregory E|GE|', 'Fisher|Matthew J|MJ|', 'LaBelle|Mark W|MW|', 'Kozmic|Sarah E|SE|']
D000328:Adult D001292:Attitude to Computers D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate D004992:Ethics, Medical D005180:Faculty, Medical D005260:Female D019983:Guideline Adherence D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D060756:Social Networking D013337:Students, Medical D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
social networking sites medical students professionalism medical education medical ethics