Medical students’ and residents’ use of online social networking tools: Implications for teaching professionalism in medical education

Authors

  • Richard E Ferdig University of Florida College of Education
  • Kara Dawson University of Florida College of Education
  • Erik W Black University of Florida College of Education
  • Nicole M. Paradise Black University of Florida, College of Medicine
  • Lindsay A. Thompson University of Florida, College of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v13i9.2161

Keywords:

social networking, Facebook, professionalism, medical education

Abstract

This study sought to determine if and how 501 medical students and 312 residents are using Facebook at a large university in the Southeastern United States. Results reveal that medical students and residents are using Facebook and about two-thirds of users maintain public profiles. While there is variation in the types of information provide within profiles, many medical students seem unaware of or unconcerned with the possible ramifications of sharing personal information in publicly-available online profiles even though such information could impact their professional lives. Thus, this study provides data based evidence that online tools such as social networking sites should become a part of the dialogue related to preparing future physicians to meet the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGE) professionalism competency.

Author Biographies

Richard E Ferdig, University of Florida College of Education

Richard E. Ferdig is an Associate Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Florida's College of Education. His research interests focus on educational gaming, the uses of innovative media for teaching and learning, virtual and online education, and what he calls a deeper psychology of technology. He graduated from Calvin College with a B.A. in Psychology and from Michigan State University with a M.A. in Educational Psychology. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Educational Psychology. At UF, he co-directs the face-to-face and online graduate programs in Educational Technology.

Kara Dawson, University of Florida College of Education

Kara Dawson is an Associate Professor of Educational Technology in the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida (UF). Her research relates to investigating innovative ways in which technology supports teaching and learning processes. She graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Education and a M.A. in Education/Educational Technology. She received her Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from the University of Virginia. At UF, she currently serves as program coordinator for the face-to-face and online Educational Technology programs.

Erik W Black, University of Florida College of Education

Erik W. Black is a Doctoral Fellow and Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Technology at the University of Florida's College of Education. His research blends contemporary psychological and pedagogical theory in the analysis of quantitative data derived from technology rich environments. Mr. Black received a B.S. in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and an M.A. in Human Services from the College of New Jersey.

Nicole M. Paradise Black, University of Florida, College of Medicine

Nicole M. Paradise Black is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida's College of Medicine. In addition to her work as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Shands Children's Hospital, she is the associate residency director of the UF Pediatric Residency Program. A graduate of the College of William and Mary and Georgetown University's College of Medicine, Dr. Black's research interests include the use of simulation in medical education and the educational impact of bedside teaching and family-centered rounds.

Lindsay A. Thompson, University of Florida, College of Medicine

Lindsay A. Thompson is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida's College of Medicine and a health services researcher who specializes in outcomes in medical education and racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric health care. She earned an A.B. from Brown University, a medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School and received an M.S. in Biostatics while engaged in her residency program at Dartmouth. She is currently collaborating with the College of Education to investigate the effects of contemporary media on childhood health.

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Published

2008-08-24

How to Cite

Ferdig, R. E., Dawson, K., Black, E. W., Black, N. M. P., & Thompson, L. A. (2008). Medical students’ and residents’ use of online social networking tools: Implications for teaching professionalism in medical education. First Monday, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v13i9.2161