Jonathan Sherbino1, Vineet M Arora2, Elaine Van Melle3, Robert Rogers4, Jason R Frank5, Eric S Holmboe6. 1. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, Canada Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. 2. Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA. 3. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. 5. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, Canada Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. 6. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Chicago, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social media are increasingly used in health professions education. How can innovations and research that incorporate social media applications be adjudicated as scholarship? OBJECTIVE: To define the criteria for social media-based scholarship in health professions education. METHOD: In 2014 the International Conference on Residency Education hosted a consensus conference of health professions educators with expertise in social media. An expert working group drafted consensus statements based on a literature review. Draft consensus statements were posted on an open interactive online platform 2 weeks prior to the conference. In-person and virtual (via Twitter) participants modified, added or deleted draft consensus statements in an iterative fashion during a facilitated 2 h session. Final consensus statements were unanimously endorsed. RESULTS: A review of the literature demonstrated no existing criteria for social media-based scholarship. The consensus of 52 health professions educators from 20 organisations in four countries defined four key features of social media-based scholarship. It must (1) be original; (2) advance the field of health professions education by building on theory, research or best practice; (3) be archived and disseminated; and (4) provide the health professions education community with the ability to comment on and provide feedback in a transparent fashion that informs wider discussion. CONCLUSIONS: Not all social media activities meet the standard of education scholarship. This paper clarifies the criteria, championing social media-based scholarship as a legitimate academic activity in health professions education. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
BACKGROUND: Social media are increasingly used in health professions education. How can innovations and research that incorporate social media applications be adjudicated as scholarship? OBJECTIVE: To define the criteria for social media-based scholarship in health professions education. METHOD: In 2014 the International Conference on Residency Education hosted a consensus conference of health professions educators with expertise in social media. An expert working group drafted consensus statements based on a literature review. Draft consensus statements were posted on an open interactive online platform 2 weeks prior to the conference. In-person and virtual (via Twitter) participants modified, added or deleted draft consensus statements in an iterative fashion during a facilitated 2 h session. Final consensus statements were unanimously endorsed. RESULTS: A review of the literature demonstrated no existing criteria for social media-based scholarship. The consensus of 52 health professions educators from 20 organisations in four countries defined four key features of social media-based scholarship. It must (1) be original; (2) advance the field of health professions education by building on theory, research or best practice; (3) be archived and disseminated; and (4) provide the health professions education community with the ability to comment on and provide feedback in a transparent fashion that informs wider discussion. CONCLUSIONS: Not all social media activities meet the standard of education scholarship. This paper clarifies the criteria, championing social media-based scholarship as a legitimate academic activity in health professions education. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Entities:
Keywords:
MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH