Exploring the Attitudes of Medical Students Towards Social Media and E-professionalism in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background In the digital age, social media is essential to everyone's life, including medical students. The rapid proliferation and updates in social media make this platform more attractive and accessible. However, online behavior and guidelines have always been a topic of ongoing debate. Thus, the study's objectives were to investigate the usage of social networking sites for various intentions among medical students, their opinions about applying these platforms for educational benefits, and their perception and accountability for e-professionalism. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted with the help of an online questionnaire among students of the College of Medicine at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from April to September 2023. Using a convenience sampling method, 577 students were invited to participate, with 97.1% (n = 560) agreeing to take part in the study. Both male and female students from all years, aged between 20 and 24 years, were included in this study. Results Nearly all medical students (99.5%, n = 557) were daily social media users. WhatsApp, YouTube, and Twitter (now X) were the most popular social media platforms, while Facebook was the least used. Gender differences were observed in platform preferences, with females favoring Instagram and Telegram and males preferring Reddit and Discord. Both genders utilize social media for various motives, including enjoyment (78.2%, n = 438), communication (68.4%, n = 383), knowledge (59.6%, n = 334), relaxation (43.6%, n = 244), and e-professionalism (12.5%, n = 70). Remarkably, 89% (n = 500) believed that social media could be a reliable medium for educational activities. Concerning e-professionalism, most students had private social media accounts, and a significant number believed their profiles did not portray them as professionals. However, a majority interacted with faculty members via social media. Male students exhibited a higher sense of e-professionalism responsibility, with many believing that online profiles should be considered during hiring decisions. Besides, female students believed online profiles could influence others' opinions about them. Conclusion Medical students are significantly involved with social media for different reasons. They acknowledge social media's potential benefits and enriching learning experiences. Nevertheless, a student's online behavior and attitude must be cognizant of and allied to the concept of e-professionalism, as it may directly lead to their future growth in medicine.