Your browser doesn't support javascript.
General Surgery Twitter during COVID-19: Tweets, Trends, and Implications for Recruitment Strategies.
Cox, James Shell; Wehrle, Chase J; Mejias, Christopher; Devarakonda, Aditya K; McKenzie, Jonathan Andrew; Arora, Tania K.
  • Cox JS; 1421Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
  • Wehrle CJ; 1421Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
  • Mejias C; 1421Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
  • Devarakonda AK; 1421Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
  • McKenzie JA; 1421Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
  • Arora TK; Department of Surgical Oncology, 1421Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta GA, USA.
Am Surg ; : 31348211060414, 2021 Dec 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20234437
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional resident recruitment practices, requiring virtual interviews and new forms of outreach. Social media, such as Twitter, is one tool programs can use to connect with applicants. This study sought to assess changes in Twitter use during the COVID-19 pandemic among general surgery programs.

METHODS:

Twitter and residency program websites were queried for public Twitter accounts related to general surgery residency programs. Publicly available tweets for available accounts were reviewed for all posts for the period March 15, 2019-November 25, 2020. Thematic analysis of each tweet was performed, and engagement was determined by likes and retweets on each tweet.

RESULTS:

The number of programs with active Twitter accounts increased after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, as did the number of tweets, likes-, and retweets-per-tweet. There was a significant increase in the number of tweets regarding resident promotion, program promotion, and virtual event promotion. Tweets received more likes-per-tweet if the subject was program promotion and resident promotion than tweets regarding virtual events. All results were statistically significant (P < .05).

DISCUSSION:

Twitter use and engagement with residency programs have increased significantly since pandemic onset. Engagement is highest for tweets regarding program and resident promotion as measured by likes-per-tweet and highest for program promotion and virtual events as measured by retweets-per-tweet. Given the nearly nationwide increase in Twitter engagement after pandemic onset, programs should consider the impact of Twitter as a means of communication with applicants and program branding.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Language: English Journal: Am Surg Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 00031348211060414

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Language: English Journal: Am Surg Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 00031348211060414