Abigail R Tirrell1, Jenna C Bekeny2, Stephen B Baker3, David H Song3, Kenneth L Fan3. 1. Georgetown University School of Medicine; Washington, District of Columbia. 2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; Washington, District of Columbia. 3. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital; Washington, District of Columbia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plastic surgeons increasingly use social media as a means for patient engagement, trainee education and research dissemination. Appropriate patient diversity on these platforms is critical to promote interaction with all patients and ensure adequate training of plastic surgeons to work with diverse populations. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess patient representation, particularly of racial and ethnic groups, among plastic surgery Instagram accounts. METHODS: 9 Instagram accounts of plastic surgery journals and professional organizations were analyzed for posts containing patient images between April 2015 and June 2020. Each unique patient image was assessed for demographic factors. Skin tone was analyzed as a proxy for racial diversity, using the Fitzpatrick Scale to categorize as white (1-3) or non-white (4-6). Univariate analysis was performed to determine differences in representation. RESULTS: A total of 6719 posts from 5 journal and 4 professional organization accounts were found to contain 2547 unique patient images. 88.14% of patient images had white skin tone, while only 11.86% displayed non-white skin tone. Cosmetic procedure patient images had a higher frequency of white skin tone when compared with reconstruction images (89.93% vs. 81.98%, p<0.001). When compared to US Census data and the ASPS Annual Report data on race of patients undergoing plastic surgery, our data revealed significant underrepresentation of patients of color on social media (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the underrepresentation of patients of color within social media imagery. Equitable representation of patients on social media is important to decrease patient barriers to healthcare and improve physician training to engage with diverse populations.
BACKGROUND: Plastic surgeons increasingly use social media as a means for patient engagement, trainee education and research dissemination. Appropriate patient diversity on these platforms is critical to promote interaction with all patients and ensure adequate training of plastic surgeons to work with diverse populations. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess patient representation, particularly of racial and ethnic groups, among plastic surgery Instagram accounts. METHODS: 9 Instagram accounts of plastic surgery journals and professional organizations were analyzed for posts containing patient images between April 2015 and June 2020. Each unique patient image was assessed for demographic factors. Skin tone was analyzed as a proxy for racial diversity, using the Fitzpatrick Scale to categorize as white (1-3) or non-white (4-6). Univariate analysis was performed to determine differences in representation. RESULTS: A total of 6719 posts from 5 journal and 4 professional organization accounts were found to contain 2547 unique patient images. 88.14% of patient images had white skin tone, while only 11.86% displayed non-white skin tone. Cosmetic procedure patient images had a higher frequency of white skin tone when compared with reconstruction images (89.93% vs. 81.98%, p<0.001). When compared to US Census data and the ASPS Annual Report data on race of patients undergoing plastic surgery, our data revealed significant underrepresentation of patients of color on social media (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the underrepresentation of patients of color within social media imagery. Equitable representation of patients on social media is important to decrease patient barriers to healthcare and improve physician training to engage with diverse populations.
Authors: Laura Snell; Chantal R Valiquette; Emma Avery; Syena Moltaji; Christopher R Forrest Journal: Plast Surg (Oakv) Date: 2022-03-24 Impact factor: 0.558