Authors: Kian Hock Tan, Rachel Ley Tan, Jolene Sze Tien Shu, Han Yao Foong, Siok Joan Siek, Kwee Choy Koh, Cheong Lieng Teng.
ABSTRACT
Background: Social media is a common channel for communication, information and education. However, it is also a potential forum where lapses of professionalism may occur. In this study we aimed to elicit medical students’ perspective on social media practices and their perceived implications of social media posts.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of Semesters 1 and 9 medical students from the International Medical University (IMU). A score was created consisting of the sum of the Likert scale in the 10-item social media practices questionnaire. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test, while continuous variables that were not normally distributed were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Out of 118 respondents (61% females), 54.2% of them recalled previous instructions regarding the use of social media and 55.1% of them were familiar with the IMU Social Media Guidelines. In general, respondents showed high level of awareness of inappropriate social medial practices, with statistically better awareness among Semester 1 students. Students who reported familiarity with IMU Social Media Guidelines were more aware of inappropriate social media practices. Most respondents were aware of the potential adverse impact of social media posts.
Conclusion: IMU students who participated in our survey generally had a good grasp of what constitutes inappropriate behaviour on social media and its potential future impact. Lower level of awareness of inappropriate social media practices among the Semester 9 students points to the need for periodic reminders of IMU Social Media Guidelines.
Keywords: Medical students, social media, professionalism and medical ethics.
Citation: IEJSME 2021 15 (1): 28-39
