Neonatologists\' Use of Social Media: A Survey Exploring Professional and Personal Practices

Background: Limited data specifically describe how physicians utilize social media for professional purposes, with some studies suggesting differences based on specialty and demographics.This study explored how neonatologists use social media and its impact on their clinical practice, given the growing use of social media for health information.Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to neonatologists through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine.Results: A total of 223 neonatologists participated in the survey.The majority reported that they "Never" or "Rarely" contribute to (74%), seek (68%), or scan (58%) social media for medical knowledge.Opinions on the impact of social media on clinical practice were mixed, with perceptions varying significantly by age (p-value < 0.01).Those who viewed social media positively highlighted its role in increasing awareness of recent publications and providing valuable parental insights.Conversely, the most common concern was the potential for misinformation, bias, and confusion stemming from social media content.Conclusions: Although most neonatologists "Never/Rarely" use social media to contribute or seek medical information, a notable proportion are scanning social media platforms to stay informed about recent publications and potentially enhance the quality of care.Older neonatologists and those with more experience perceive social media as less valuable and less positively impacting clinical care.It is likely neonatologists are not using social media at the same rate as families, which could contribute to communication gaps as families increasingly use social media for information and support.Further research is needed to assess the effects of social media on healthcare quality and resource allocation and to develop strategies to mitigate misinformation and confusion.