Earlier this year, the Harvard Business Review reported on the increasing trend of surgeons leveraging social media to enhance their skills and share knowledge with others. As the surgical field grows in size and complexity, those in the profession are no longer relying on conferences and informal hallway conversations alone. And while the advent of online discussion forums is nothing new to medical professionals across the board, the pervasive nature and ease of access of social media is undeniable, making it an ideal choice for peer-to-peer learning.
The Harvard Business Review article cites a handful of Facebook groups and Twitter chats that surgeons are leveraging to connect globally and learn new techniques. In addition to written exchange, these platforms allow for immersive video and photo content, providing a vicarious learning experience. Though the use of social media poses a handful of factors to consider (i.e. the need for group moderators, consistent guidelines, mindfulness of legal implication