Physician and Biomedical Scientist Harassment on Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Royan, Regina; Pendergrast, Tricia; Woitowich, Nicole C.; Trueger, N. Seth; Wooten, L. A.; Jain, Shikha; Arora, Vineet M.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.18315

Cited by 16 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…In fact, members of our SIG indicated they engaged in public- and academic-facing communication weekly at roughly the same percentage frequency (Figure 3). We did not see specific reports of harassment or negative interactions during the pandemic cited as a barrier in our survey as described previously [Royan et. al, 2023], although our own experience is that changes to specific platforms and discourse have made posting on social media less frequent or enjoyable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey-Based Analysis of a Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group: Member Feedback and Perspectives on Science Communication

Hilliard,

Sugden,

Bass

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Coordinated attempts to promote systematic approaches to the design and evaluation of science communication efforts have generally lagged behind the proliferation and diversification of those efforts. To address this, we founded the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group (SciOSciComm-SIG) and undertook a mixed-methods survey-based evaluation of the group one year after its founding. Respondents indicated ongoing interest and some participation in public-facing science communication while identifying specific barriers, and praised the role of the SIG in expanding access to information about evidence-based practices.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey-Based Analysis of a Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group: Member Feedback and Perspectives on Science Communication

Hilliard,

Sugden,

Bass

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…The subjects in this study felt strongly about this role, despite concerning levels of harassment of physicians and scientists on social media. 22 This commitment to public education via social media is encouraging, given that physicians remain one of the most trusted sources of health information among the public. 49 As online health misinformation proliferates, 33 physicians can take advantage of the increasing availability of social media platforms to inform and protect the public.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is particularly relevant as physicians with minoritized identities more frequently face harassment on social media, and report changing the way they use social media due to this harassment. 22…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“My doctor self and my human self”: A qualitative study of physicians’ presentation of self on social media

Maggio,

Céspedes,

Fleerackers

et al. 2023

Preprint

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IntroductionWhen using social media, physicians are encouraged and trained to maintain separate professional and personal identities. However, this separation is difficult and even undesirable, as the blurring of personal and professional online presence can influence patient trust. Thus, to develop policies and educational resources that are more responsive to the blurring of personal and professional boundaries on social media, this study aims to provide an understanding of how physicians present themselves holistically online.Methods28 physicians based in the United States that use social media were interviewed. Participants were asked to describe how and why they use social media, specifically Twitter (rebranded as “X” in July 2023), which is especially popular among physicians. Interviews were complimented by data from participants’ Twitter profiles. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis guided by Goffman’s theory of presentation of self. This theory uses the metaphor of a stage to characterize how individuals attempt to control the aspects of the identities—orfaces—they display during social interactions.ResultsWe identified seven faces presented by the participants. Participants crafted and maintained these faces through discursive choices in their tweets and profiles, which were motivated by their perceived audience. We identified overlaps and tensions that arise at the intersections of faces, which posed professional and personal challenges for participants.ConclusionsPhysicians strategically emphasize their more professional or personal faces according to their objectives and motivations in different communicative situations, and tailor their language and content to better reach their target audiences. While tensions arise in between these faces, physicians still prefer to project a rounded, integral image of themselves on social media. This suggests a need to reconsider social media policies and related educational initiatives to better align with the realities of these digital environments.

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“…9 An online survey of physicians and biomedical scientists in the US regarding abuse on social media during COVID-19 revealed that 66% of 359 respondents experienced harassment. 10 In Canada, public health officers normally have legislated responsibility to serve a defined regional, provincial or federal jurisdiction. They have responsibility for advising elected officials, reporting to the public and determining public health measures required to ease the spread of illness.…”

Section: How This Study Might Affect Research Practice or Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace violence in the COVID-19 era: a qualitative analysis of harassment and threats against public health professionals in Canada

Regehr,

Goel

et al. 2023

bmjph

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ObjectivesThis study reports the results of a qualitative study involving public health professionals and documents their experiences with cyberviolence, harassment and threats during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method and analysisThe research adopted a discovery-oriented qualitative design, using constructivist grounded theory method and long interview style data collection. Twelve public health professionals from across Canada who held responsibility for COVID-19 response and public health measures in their respective jurisdictions participated. Constant comparative analysis was used to generate concepts through inductive processes.ResultsData revealed a pattern that began with mainstream media engagement, moved to indirect cyberviolence on social media that fuelled outrage and polarisation of members of the public, followed by direct cyberviolence in the form of email abuse and threats, and finally resulted in physical threats and confrontation—which were then glorified and amplified on social media. The prolonged nature and intensity of harassment and threats led to negative somatic, emotional, professional and social outcomes. Concerns were raised that misinformation and comments undermining the credibility of public health professionals weakened public trust and ultimately the health of the population. Participants provided recommendations for preventing and mitigating the effects of cyber-instigated violence against public health professionals that clustered in three areas: better supports for public health personnel; improved systems for managing communications; and legislative controls on social media including reducing the anonymity of contributors.ConclusionThe prolonged and intense harassment, abuse and threats against public health professionals during COVID-19 had significant effects on these professionals, their families, staff and ultimately the safety and health of the public. Addressing this issue is a significant concern that requires the attention of organisations responsible for public health and policy makers.

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Physician and Biomedical Scientist Harassment on Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: This survey study assesses the frequency and nature of harassment on social media experienced by physicians, biomedical scientists, and trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cited by 16 publications

References 4 publications

Survey-Based Analysis of a Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group: Member Feedback and Perspectives on Science Communication

Survey-Based Analysis of a Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group: Member Feedback and Perspectives on Science Communication

“My doctor self and my human self”: A qualitative study of physicians’ presentation of self on social media

Workplace violence in the COVID-19 era: a qualitative analysis of harassment and threats against public health professionals in Canada

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