Social Media Use Among Physicians and Trainees: Results of a National Medical Oncology Physician Survey

QUESTION ASKED:To what extent, and for what purpose, do oncology physicians and physicians-in-training use Web-based social media?SUMMARY ANSWER:Despite the ability of social media to enhance collaboration and knowledge dissemination among health care providers, this cohort survey study identified an overall low use of social media among oncologists, and significant generational gaps and differences in patterns of use.METHODS:A nine-item survey was designed using a survey-generating Web site (SurveyMonkey) and was distributed securely via weekly e-mail messages to 680 oncology physicians and physicians-in-training from July 2013 through September 2013. All responses were received anonymously. Results were analyzed and are reported using descriptive statistics.RESULTS:Of 680 surveys sent, 207 were completed, for a response rate of 30.4%. Social media were used by 72% of our survey respondents (95% CI, 66% to 78%; Table 1). Results were cross tabulated by age, which revealed a significant difference in soci...