Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Virtual MedTwitter Curriculum for Medical Students
John Alan Gambril1,2, Joanne Baltazar Vakil3, Jing Peng4
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH USA.
Medical Science Educator
|January 6, 2025
Summary
Medical students gained valuable skills and increased their perception of MedTwitter (medical professionals on X) as a vital resource through a new curriculum. The self-paced, virtual course effectively addressed an educational gap, enhancing their comfort and intent to use the platform.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Digital Health
- Professional Networking
Background:
- Social media platforms like MedTwitter (medical professionals on X) offer significant academic and professional advantages in healthcare.
- However, many medical schools do not formally educate students on utilizing this valuable resource.
- This educational gap limits students' exposure to potential benefits like networking and knowledge sharing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the educational gap concerning MedTwitter by developing and implementing a dedicated curriculum for medical students.
- To introduce medical students to the applications of MedTwitter within medicine and medical education.
- To evaluate the curriculum's effectiveness in enhancing students' perception, knowledge, and comfort with MedTwitter.
Main Methods:
- A 10-hour, virtual, self-paced curriculum was designed based on Adult Learning Theory (ALT).
- The curriculum incorporated diverse learning materials including primary literature, expert insights, platform content, and interactive activities.
- Pre- and post-course surveys were administered to assess changes in student interest, knowledge, perceptions, and skills related to MedTwitter.
Main Results:
- Forty-three pre-clinical students participated, with only 26% having prior MedTwitter experience.
- Post-course surveys revealed significant increases in students' perception of MedTwitter's value, their intent to use it, and their comfort level with its functionalities.
- Learning objectives were met, with networking and learning frequently cited as key benefits. The virtual, self-paced format was positively received.
Conclusions:
- A concise, virtual, self-paced MedTwitter curriculum effectively addressed a critical educational need for medical students.
- The curriculum was well-received and successful in achieving its learning objectives, demonstrating the utility of Adult Learning Theory.
- The program's design shows potential for adaptation to other digital platforms and healthcare professions.
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