Social Media Usage and the RadsDO Experience: How Twitter Provides Enhanced Resource and Networking Accessibility via Subspecialized Interest Groups

Purpose: The use of various social media platforms has gained traction over the past few years among healthcare subspecialties. These platforms provide access to important real-time updates from application websites and conferences, advice from seasoned members of various subspecialties, and an opportunity to connect with members of the greater medical community.

Methods/Materials: RadsDO is a subspecialty interest groups founded on Twitter. This group provides a forum for osteopathic medical students to gain access to networking and resources outside of their geographic location. It also provides a platform for students to gain exposure to opportunities within niche subspecialties in radiology.

Results: This group utilized the accessibility of attending physicians and specialists on Twitter to help osteopathic medical students network, obtain research opportunities, and gain a greater understanding of the unique subspecialties within the field of radiology earlier in their medical education. Examples include webinar discussions with residents from various programs across the country, mock interviews for fourth year students, and options for connections to research and mentorship. We have also worked to connect students with attending physicians for rotation opportunities, mentorship, and research. Additional long-term projects include developing an online curriculum for osteopathic medical students to not only learn about radiology, but also gain an understanding of proper social media usage, opportunities for networking, tips for audition rotations, and a source for various organizations, travel stipends, etc.

Conclusions: The enhanced usage of social media provides medical students and young professionals an opportunity to gain additional resources and mentorship beyond their geographic location and hospital system. This organization has successfully implemented various opportunities for medical students to gain exposure to radiology and access to networking early in their osteopathic medical education.