Harnessing the power of social media to support medical training during COVID-19

Abstract

Twitter offers a powerful means to share information, suggest ways to help and highlight useful initiatives during the global COVID-19 pandemic. We describe one successful Twitter campaign focusing on the role of medical students (#MedStudentCovid), led by the volunteer organisation Becoming A Doctor with support from leaders at the General Medical Council, Health Education England, NHS England and the World Health Organization.

Using social media for patient care, research, and professional development: A North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition position paper

“…These educators can reach audiences of over 1 million users with each shared video, photo or tweet. The use of social media as a means of disseminated and shared learning became even more widespread during the COVID‐19 pandemic with disruptions to traditional in‐person curriculum delivery and clinical training 83,84 …”

“…The use of social media as a means of disseminated and shared learning became even more widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic with disruptions to traditional in-person curriculum delivery and clinical training. 83,84 The rising use of social media in medical education has been mirrored by increasing study and review of the impact of these approaches. 85 While the majority of publications in this area are descriptive studies, innovation reports or reviews, there is a push to move beyond this into justification, clarification and critical appraisal.…”