Background: Social media is an effective tool to enhance reputationand brand recognition and is being used by more than 40% of patients whenselecting a physician. This study aimed to evaluate the use of social media inhand surgeon practices, and to assess the impact that one’s social mediapresence has on physician-rating website scores (PRWs). Methods:Randomly selected hand surgeons from across the United States were identified.Sequential searches were performed using the physicians name + the respectivesocial media platform (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, personalwebsite, group website). A comprehensive social media utilization index (SMI)was created for each surgeon. Utilizing descriptive statistics, we assessed theeffect of social media on the PRW. Results: A total of 116board-certified hand surgeons were included in our study. The sample identified10.3% of the population used Facebook, 1.7% used Twitter, 25.8% used YouTube,22.4% used LinkedIn, 27.5% used a personal website, and 36.2% used a groupwebsite, 0% used Instagram. The average SMI was 1.53 ± 1.42 (0-6). Physicianswith a personal website received higher Healthgrades scores than those withoutone (P < .05). Analysis of SMI demonstrated that handsurgeons with an index less than 3 received lower Healthgrades scores comparedto those with an SMI above 3 (P < .001).Conclusion: Hand surgeons underutilize social media platformsin their practice. A personal website is single most important social mediaplatform to improve HealthGrades score in hand surgeons.
展开▼
