IMPACT OF DIGITAL SURGICAL ILLUSTRATIONS IN SOCIAL MEDIA: A LATINOAMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Introduction: Medical illustrations have demonstrated being useful throughout history as a fundamental tool for meaningful learning in education. The use of new technologies and digital platforms has made the learning and dissemination easier, with social media being the perfect medium for widespread distribution. This article presents the impact of digitally illustrated content posted on an academic account, focusing on general surgery. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with a quantitative and qualitative analysis of Instagram reactions on the @cirbosque account for academic surgical illustrations created in Procreate and Adobe Fresco. The illustrations were published between August 25, 2021, and December 28, 2022, with an assessment of their reach. Results: The reach of every post was determined by the number of accounts reached, totaling 27,662 accounts. Out of these, 15.168 accounts were followers, and 9.827 accounts were non-followers. Conclusion: Medical-surgical illustrations are a tool that enhances learning about relevant topics in the surgical field and fosters communication among colleagues. By sharing them on social media, a massive dissemination can be achieved, allowing the illustrator to reach a global audience.