Navigating Personal and Professional Development Through Social Media in Ophthalmology

Abstract

Bonnie He,1 Stuti M Tanya,2 Fiona Costello,3 Femida Kherani,4,5 Neda Shamie,5 Dagny Zhu6 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; 2Department of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; 3Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 4Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 5Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 6NVISION Eye Centers, Rowland Heights, Los Angeles County, California, USACorrespondence: Bonnie He, Dalhousie University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Email [email protected]: Although social media use among physicians skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, its role for networking, mentorship, and support among ophthalmologists remains unknown. The objective of this study was to elucidate how ophthalmologists use social media for navigating challenges related to personal and professional development.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A 40-item questionnaire investigating the usage of social media was developed and distributed to active social media users in ophthalmology including trainees and practitioners from November 2020 to December 2020 via social media channels. Quantitative responses were analyzed using descriptive and basic statistics, while a thematic analysis was conducted to examine the qualitative responses.Results: One hundred and forty-nine respondents (67% women) completed the survey, with 56% of participants between the ages of 25– 35 years old. Women were more likely to report experiencing workplace discrimination (p < 0.005) and work-life imbalance (p < 0.05) compared to men, and social media was found to be useful in addressing those challenges in addition to parenting and mentorship (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Compared to their older counterparts, younger ophthalmologists (< 45 years old) cited more challenges with practice management (p < 0.005) and turned to social media for corresponding guidance (p < 0.05). Compared to late career ophthalmologists, trainees were more likely to report difficulties with career development (p < 0.05), practice management (p < 0.0001), and financial planning (p < 0.05), and found social media beneficial for learning financial literacy (p < 0.05). A qualitative analysis of the free-response texts found both positive and negative viewpoints of social media use in ophthalmology.Conclusion: Social media is an invaluable tool for enhancing professional and personal growth for ophthalmologists, particularly for women, trainees, and younger surgeons through education and community-building. Future directions include exploring how social media can be used to improve mentorship, outreach, and training in ophthalmology.Keywords: mentorship, professional development, social media, women in ophthalmology

Keywords

• mentorship
• professional development
• social media
• women in ophthalmology