Social media use and perceptions among pathologists in Turkey: a national survey

The use of social media is rapidly expanding worldwide. In parallel with the development of digital pathology, the use of digital social media platforms in the field of pathology has also increased. However, as with many other groups, pathologists still have some concerns about using social media. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and purposes of social media use among pathologists in their professional and personal lives.

This study was conducted using an online survey designed via Google Forms and distributed among pathologists. The questionnaire collected data on participant demographics, the frequency and purposes of social media use, and its application in pathology education and practice.

A total of 124 pathologists participated in the study. All participants reported using social media in their daily lives. Among them, 101 (81.5%) indicated that they also used social media for pathology-related purposes. The platform considered most useful for pathology practice was X (formerly Twitter) (35.6%). Additionally, 98% of participants believed that social media could be beneficial for pathology education.

Despite potential sampling bias, our study indicates that among digitally connected pathologists in Turkey, social media, particularly X, is widely adopted as a valuable tool for professional education and practice.