Social Media and Ophthalmology: Perspectives of Patients and Ophthalmologists

Navigating Social Media in #Ophthalmology

“…A recent study performed by Melendez et al 17 of 118 ophthalmology departments in the United States found that 34% were present on Facebook, 23% on Twitter, and 4% on Instagram. 17 In a similar study by Clarke et al, 5 as of March 2017 just more than half of the top 30 academic eye centers on Doximity had active Twitter accounts and only 2 of these programs were on Instagram. By engaging in social media, departments can promote their research and share their faculty and trainees' accomplishments.…”

“…The online presence of ophthalmologists and clinical practices can serve as an avenue for patients to connect to their healthcare provider and simultaneously facilitate growth of the practice. 5 The Pew Research Center Surveys in 2018 demonstrated that approximately 88% of those aged 18 to 29 years use some form of social media. However, this decreases with age, with 78% aged 30 to 49 years, 64% aged 50 to 64 years, and 37% aged 65 years.…”

Social media in ophthalmology: An analysis of use in the professional sphere

“…One report by Clarke et al characterized the 20 most recent Twitter and Instagram posts by ophthalmologists and eye institutes, but the study reviewed just 30 accounts. 10 More work must be done to understand how ophthalmologists use social media in their practice, if at all, and which factors such as subspecialty, region of practice, and others affect usage.…”

Does social media have a place in ophthalmology practice?

“…The investigators found that 92% of patients posted photographs, 88% had a positive tone, 62% referenced the clinic at which they were treated, and 44% posted during the day of the procedure. 5 Understanding patients' usage of their social media is important in determining how to best interact with them.…”