Social Media and Wellness: Evolving Trends in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Representation

Social media is increasingly popular among orthopaedic surgery residency programs and allows for programs to communicate with current and prospective residents. One way is by showcasing health and wellness initiatives-a critical response to the burnout many orthopaedic surgery residents face. This study investigates trends in wellness-related social media activity among US orthopaedic surgery residency programs to understand the effect wellness initiatives and their representation on social media have on online engagement and program ranking.

The Orthopaedic Residency Information Network was queried for program information including location, total number of residents, and whether the program has diversity initiatives. Instagram and Twitter/X were used to identify categorized wellness posts between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Engagement rates and a summated wellness score were then calculated.

A total of 171 orthopaedic surgery residency programs were reviewed. Instagram was the preferred platform for programs, with resident meet-and-greet/mentorship posts being the most common. Programs with higher Doximity rankings, larger resident cohorts, and diversity initiatives posted more wellness-related content. Greater summated wellness scores were also associated with an increased Instagram follower count. Regional differences were also noted, with programs in the Midwest emphasizing greater work-life balance.

This study highlights the association between orthopaedic surgery residency programs leveraging social media to promote a culture of wellness and improved program perception and rankings, which may play a role in attracting top applicants. Residency-related wellness content remains limited, suggesting opportunities for programs to enhance engagement and resident support through strategic social media efforts.