[Social media for continuing education in nephrology. Myth or reality?]

About 60% of the world population has access to the Internet in 2021, making it the main tool in fostering communication between people. Lately, digital information and communication have especially taken place on platforms known as Social Media (SoMe) or Social Networks. In the last decade the usefulness of these tools in carrying information aimed at updating professionals in Medicine and Nephrology has become evident. There are several examples of SoMe utilization in Nephrology, as demonstrated by the existing accounts or Pages operated by the main international nephrological Scientific Societies, or the most renowned specialized medical journals. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are the most versatile SoMe for these objectives; however, other platforms such as Tik Tok, Linkedin, Instagram, and WhatsApp may serve the same purpose. This digital revolution in disseminating information has proved very useful during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, even though some inappropriate uses have emerged, such as the diffusion of fake news, which has favored the emergence of "adverse effects" or a surge of antiscientific positions. In this review, we examine how physicians and nephrologists can take advantage of digital information for their continuing education. We quote the main resources in the international scenario and illustrate some specific national examples, such as the Journal Club of the Nephrology post-graduate program of the University of Milan and the Facebook group "Medical and Nephrology Community".

[Italian health centers and Web Marketing strategy: necessary improvements, even in nephrology]. / Aziende sanitarie italiane e Web Marketing strategy: miglioramenti indispensabili, anche in nefrologia.

The complete digitalization of the health system is an objective that Italy, from 2014, is pursuing with great difficulty, spurred by the many European initiatives dedicated to it. Despite the social and cultural background seems to be clearly ready for an application of the renewal strategies, e-Health and m-Health are struggling to get off the ground throughout the territory. The main difficulties are find at local level and don't spare any medical discipline, nephrology included. The characteristics of the official websites belonging to the local health centers demonstrate it. Today, these institutions are still sparsely present on Social Media or in the Italian Smart Mobile Technology landscape. The article illustrates the main features of the phenomenon and calls for reflection on the necessity to accelerate the digital innovation of the communication with patients. This is a possible strategy for reducing chronicity through prevention, and, potentially, for decreasing health costs.