• Rachel Adilman, Yanchini Rajmohan, Edward Brooks, Gloria Roldan Urgoiti, Caroline Chung, Nazik Hammad, Martina Trinkaus, Madiha Naseem, Christine Simmons, and Roldan Urgoiti Gloria G British Columbia Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia; University of Waterloo, Waterloo; Princess Margaret Hospital; St Mic.
• British Columbia Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia; University of Waterloo, Waterloo; Princess Margaret Hospital; St Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto, Toronto; Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario; and University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• J Oncol Pract. 2016 Jan 1; 12 (1): 79-80, e52-60.

PurposeCancer management requires coordinated care from many health care providers, and its complexity requires physicians be up to date on current research. Web-based social media support physician collaboration and information sharing, but the extent to which physicians use social media for these purposes remains unknown. The complex field of oncology will benefit from increased use of online social media to enhance physician communication, education, and mentorship. To facilitate this, patterns of social media use among oncologists must be better understood.MethodsA nine-item survey investigating physician social media use, designed using online survey software, was distributed via e-mail to 680 oncology physicians and physicians in training in Canada. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 207 responses (30%) were received; 72% of respondents reported using social media. Social media use was highest, at 93%, in respondents age 25 to 34 years and lowest, at 39%, in those age 45 to 54 years. This demonstrates a significant gap in social media use between younger users and mid- to late-career users. The main barrier to use was lack of free time.ConclusionThe identified gap in social media use between age cohorts may have negative implications for communication in oncology. Despite advancements in social media and efforts to integrate social media into medical education, most oncologists and trainees use social media rarely, which, along with the age-related gap in use, may have consequences for collaboration and education in oncology. Investigations to further understand barriers to social media use should be undertaken to enhance physician collaboration and knowledge sharing through social media.

14 keywords...

hide…