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Educator's blueprint: Key considerations for using social media in survey-based medical education research.

Authors :
Ogle KY
Hill J
Santen SA
Gottlieb M
Artino AR Jr
Thoma B
Source :
AEM education and training [AEM Educ Train] 2024 Sep 23; Vol. 8 (5), pp. e11026. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 23 (Print Publication: 2024).
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

In this paper, we present a set of recommendations for using social media as a tool for participant recruitment in survey-based medical education research. Drawing from a limited but growing body of literature, we discuss the opportunities and challenges inherent to social media recruitment. This article builds on the authors' previous educator's blueprints about survey design and administration. We highlight the advantages of social media, including its wide reach, cost-effectiveness, and capability to access diverse and geographically dispersed populations, which can significantly enhance the representativeness of research samples. However, we also caution against potential pitfalls, such as ethical concerns, sampling bias, and the fluid nature of social media platforms. Our recommendations are informed by both empirical evidence and best practices, aiming to provide researchers with practical advice for effectively leveraging social media in survey-based medical education research. We emphasize the importance of selecting suitable platforms and engaging with targeted demographics thoughtfully. By sharing our insights, we hope to assist fellow medical education researchers in navigating the complexities of social media recruitment, thereby enriching the quality and impact of survey-based research in this field.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.<br /> (© 2024 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2472-5390
Volume :
8
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
AEM education and training
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
39324032
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.11026