Medical student Dermatology Interest Groups.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health Communication
• Dermatology

Background:

• The Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) blog at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) was established in 2004.
• Its primary goals include enhancing communication, collaboration, and educational opportunities for students, faculty, residents, and alumni.
• The blog is uniquely focused on the educational and professional needs of medical students and residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the usage and impact of the DIG at UTMB blog.
• To evaluate the relationship between blog activity (posts, content) and audience engagement (views, subscribers).
• To determine the blog's reach and usefulness beyond the immediate UTMB community.

Main Methods:

• A tracking system was employed to monitor blog views and audience demographics.
• Analysis focused on the number of posts, content areas, and subscriber growth over time.
• Viewer engagement metrics, including time spent on the blog, were recorded.

Main Results:

• The blog demonstrated a consistent increase in the number of posts, views, and subscribers.
• Content areas such as dermatology resources, news, articles, residency applications, and resident information showed significant growth.
• An international audience was identified, with an average viewing time exceeding the time needed to read a single post.

Conclusions:

• The DIG at UTMB blog serves as a valuable web-based tool for medical students, residents, and faculty.
• Its frequent activity and diverse content effectively meet educational and professional needs.
• Such platforms, combined with interest groups, offer significant benefits for medical professionals and enhance knowledge dissemination.