CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 25Social Media in Health EducationImpact of Technology on AdolescentsSocial Media and Politics

Social Media and the Orthopaedic Surgeon: a Mixed Methods Study

Open access
Taghreed Justinia, Ali Alyami, Sultan Qahtani, Mohammed A. Bashanfar, Majed Khatib, Ahmed Omar Yahya, Faiz Zagzoog·2019·Acta Informatica Medica
DOI 10.5455/aim.2019.27.23-28PMC PMC6511278
Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Social media continues to grow in size, and popularity, The prevalence of social networking continues to develop and will likely play an increasing role in all aspects of society and business, including in healthcare services. This rapid growth has directly influenced healthcare professionals in the clinical setting. AIM: To assess the perceptions and usage of SM (SM) by OSs (OS) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its impact on their profession, and to evaluate their level of awareness of the potential risks on their practice. METHODS: Quantitative: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to practicing OSs in 15 healthcare centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (μ=323) using convenience sampling. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative: Eight OSs were recruited by purposive and snowball sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The Quantitative survey revealed that 165 OSs participated (RR=51%). OSs who use SM partly or entirely for professional purposes represent 53.7% (n=87). The remaining OSs were excluded. Virtually 90% were 40 years old or younger. Residents were less likely to reply to medical questions on SM (p=0.035). It was found that 74.7% of OSs use SM daily. The most commonly used platform was Twitter (75.9%), with Instagram and Snapchat being significantly more used by younger OSs (p= 0.013 and 0.003, respectively). The results of the Qualitative interviews revealed four themes: Guidelines, Ethics and Professionalism; Usage and Perceptions; Doctor-Patient Relationship; Quality of Online Content. CONCLUSION: OSs' perceptions and usage were generally cautious. The major concerns were patient confidentiality, along with ethical and legal consequences. The need to contribute to quality online content was evident. Lack of formal guidelines was a continuous theme. The development of national guidelines on SM use in the orthopaedic profession is recommended.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This mixed methods study assessed social media perceptions and use among orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, finding generally cautious attitudes and major concerns about patient confidentiality, ethics, and legal consequences. Lack of formal Saudi guidelines was a continuous theme, and the authors recommend developing national guidelines.

Key findings

  • Of 323 orthopaedic surgeons approached, 165 participated (RR=51%); 53.7% (n=87) used social media partly or entirely for professional purposes, while 43.6% (n=72) used it for personal purposes only and 3.6% (n=6) did not use it at all. Among professional users, 74.7% (n=65) used social media daily, and 89.7% (n=78) were 40 years old or younger.
  • Twitter was the most commonly used platform (75.9%, n=66), followed by Facebook (54%, n=47) and Instagram (48.3%, n=45); Instagram and Snapchat were significantly more used by younger orthopaedic surgeons (p=0.013 and p=0.003, respectively). Residents were less likely to reply to medical questions on social media (p=0.035).
  • Professional uses were mainly sharing medical knowledge (79.03%, n=69), discussing cases with colleagues (72.4%, n=63), and sharing work experiences (66.7%, n=58); interacting with patients was least common (34.5%, n=30). Most participants (66.7%, n=58) were not comfortable conducting a consultation via social media.
  • Ethical/legal findings: 49.43% (n=43) disagreed that discussing a patient’s case on social media is ethically acceptable if identity is hidden, while 42.53% (n=37) agreed; 56.32% (n=49) had concerns over possible legal issues around interacting with patients online, and of those 89.65% (n=78) had not read any guidelines. Only 14.9% (n=13) of all participants had read guidelines related to social media in their profession. Qualitative analysis produced four themes: Guidelines, Ethics and Professionalism; Usage and Perceptions; Doctor-Patient Relationship; Quality of Online Content.

Methods

  • Quantitative: a cross-sectional online survey (Google Surveys) was distributed via e-mail, WhatsApp, and in person over one month to practicing orthopaedic surgeons from 15 public and private centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; the entire population (μ=323) was approached using convenience sampling. The questionnaire had 25 questions on demographics, social media use, attitudes, and perceived risks; analysis used SPSS IBM version 21 with descriptive statistics and Chi-square, T-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression.
  • Qualitative: eight orthopaedic surgeons of varying training levels were recruited by purposive and snowball sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, conducted over two weeks in August 2018 until theoretical saturation, and analyzed using Grounded Theory analysis with NVivo 12; the abstract describes the qualitative analysis as thematic content analysis.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: residents formed the majority of respondents while also reporting they were least likely to use social media, meaning those who used social media most were least likely to use it to interact with patients; collecting more responses might have resolved this. The authors also state that the amount of time the survey was kept online was a limitation, and more time might have yielded a higher response rate.
  • Evident from the text: the quantitative sample used convenience sampling from 15 centers in one city (Jeddah), limiting generalizability; the qualitative sample was small (eight surgeons); and the survey excluded surgeons who did not use social media or used it only for personal purposes, so findings apply to professional users.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.5455/aim.2019.27.23-28

Cites

26 of 26 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 21 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The least common use of social media was interacting with patients (34.50%, n=30).

    “Least of all uses for social media was interacting with patients (34.50%, n=30).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.
  • Findingown data

    Of those with concerns, 89.65% (n=78) have not read any guidelines for social media use in their profession.

    “of those 89.65% (n=78) have not read any guidelines for social media use in their profession.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.
  • Findingown data

    Resident doctors were less likely to reply to medical questions on social media (p=0.035).

    “resident doctors were less likely to reply to medical questions on social media (p=0.035).”
    • Also stated in: § Results: · plain
      “Residents were less likely to reply to medical questions on SM (p=0.035).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.
  • Findingown data

    Younger orthopaedists (<=40) were significantly more likely to use social media at least 5 days per week (p=0.027).

    “Younger orthopaedists (<=40) were significantly more likely to use social media at least 5 days per week (p=0.027)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.
  • Findingown data

    Orthopaedic surgeons were significantly more likely to post videos on YouTube for the sake of sharing medical knowledge (p=0.018).

    “orthopaedic surgeons were significantly more likely to post videos on YouTube for the sake of sharing medical knowledge (p=0.018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 14
  • May combine two claims. 11
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    No previous studies have postulated or proven definitively that there are no formal guidelines in Saudi Arabia on the use of social media and orthopedic surgeons.

    “No previous studies have postulated or proven definitively that there are no formal guidelines in Saudi Arabia on the use of social media and orthopedic surgeons.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The absence of Saudi guidelines in the reviewed literature means that no formal Saudi guidelines exist.

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    The most common professional uses of social media were sharing medical knowledge (79.03%, n=69), discussing cases with colleagues (72.4%, n=63), and sharing work experiences (66.7%, n=58).

    “the findings show that orthopaedists mostly use social media for sharing medical knowledge (79.03%, n=69), for discussing cases with colleagues (72.4%, n=63) and for sharing work experiences (66.7%, n=58).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Interviewees viewed social media as appropriate for education, awareness and general advice, but not for consultations with their patients.

    “The interviews further revealed that orthopaedic surgeons viewed social media as appropriate for education, awareness and general advice, but not for consultations with their patients.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The views of the eight interviewed orthopaedic surgeons are representative of the broader population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When asked if it was ethically acceptable to discuss a patient's case on social media as long as their identity was kept hidden, 49.43% (n=43) disagreed and thought it was ethically unacceptable, while 42.53% (n=37) agreed that it was acceptable.

    “when asked if it was ethically acceptable to discuss a patient’s case on social media as long as their identity was kept hidden, 49.43% (n=43) disagreed and thought it was ethically unacceptable, while 42.53% (n=37) agreed that it was acceptable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The most commonly used social media platform was Twitter (75.9%, n=66), followed by Facebook (54%, n=47) and Instagram (48.3%, n=45).

    “the most commonly used platform was Twitter (75.9%, n=66), followed by Facebook (54%, n=47) and Instagram (48.3%, n=45).”
    • Also stated in: § Results: · plain
      “The most commonly used platform was Twitter (75.9%)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The theme of guidelines was the most extensively discussed by the interviewees, who unanimously recommended the creation of formal guidelines in Saudi Arabia.

    “This theme was the most extensively discussed by the interviewees, who unanimously recommended the creation of formal guidelines in Saudi Arabia”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The views of the eight interviewed orthopaedic surgeons are representative of the broader population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah.
    • Rests on an assumption: The number of references to a theme in the qualitative transcripts indicates the theme's importance.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The majority of respondents worked in the public sector only (66.7%, n=58).

    “The majority worked in the public sector only (66.7%, n=58).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Concerns regarding patient confidentiality and the lack of experience with the platforms have made physicians skeptical and unsure of the ethical and legal responsibilities.

    “Concerns regarding patient confidentiality and the lack of experience with the platforms have made physicians skeptical (14, 17) and unsure of the ethical and legal responsibilities (5)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [14] 5. Panahi S, Watson J, Partridge H. Social media and physicians: Exploring the benefits and

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] pedic surgery. Orthop Rev. 2014; 6(3): 8.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [5] 2018]. Available from: https://www.slideshare.net/wearesocial/digital-in-2018-in-western-

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationown data

    The need to contribute to quality online content was evident.

    “The need to contribute to quality online content was evident.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The views of the eight interviewed orthopaedic surgeons are representative of the broader population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The findings corroborate similar opinions from studies conducted elsewhere.

    “The findings corroborate similar opinions from studies conducted elsewhere”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Social media is recognized as a tool that can improve communication between healthcare providers and their patients.

    “Social media is recognized as a tool that can improve communication between healthcare providers and their patients (14).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] 5. Panahi S, Watson J, Partridge H. Social media and physicians: Exploring the benefits and

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The major concerns were patient confidentiality, along with ethical and legal consequences.

    “The major concerns were patient confidentiality, along with ethical and legal consequences.”
    • Also stated in: § CONCLUSION · hedged
      “However, the major concerns were patient confidentiality, along with worry over possible ethical and legal consequences.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    • Rests on an assumption: The views of the eight interviewed orthopaedic surgeons are representative of the broader population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Around 80% of patients will use the Internet to seek health-related information within their lifetime.

    “Around 80% of patients will use the Internet to seek health-related information within their lifetime (8).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] dia and Internet-Based Data in Preventing and Fighting Infectious Diseases: From Internet

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Duymus found that 34.2% of patients consulted with an orthopaedist using the Internet and 48.5% preferred websites that allow patients to directly ask their physicians questions.

    “Duymus (7) found that 34.2% of patients consulted with an orthopaedists using the Internet and 48.5% preferred websites that allow patients to directly ask their physicians questions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] 3. Al-Surimi K, Khalifa M, Bahkali S, EL-Metwally A, Househ M. The Potential of Social Me-

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Physician participation on social media is crucial to providing high-quality health information online.

    “Physician participation on social media is therefore crucial to providing high-quality health information online (14).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] 5. Panahi S, Watson J, Partridge H. Social media and physicians: Exploring the benefits and

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Twitter was the most widely used social media platform, highlighting a possible shift in usage habits compared to a previous study.

    “The evidence presented in this study found that Twitter was the most widely used social media platform, highlighting a possible shift in usage habits during the time ensued between both studies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] 2. Hootsuite, We Are Social. Digital in 2018 in Western Asia Part 2 - South-East 2018 [23 July

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Chronbach's Alpha test was used to measure internal consistency and reliability of the scale.

    “Chronbach’s Alpha test was used to measure internal consistency and reliability of the scale.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have examined orthopaedic surgeons and their use of social media, yet little is known about their awareness of the potential associated risks.

    “Previous studies have examined orthopaedic surgeons and their use of social media (23, 24), yet little is known about their awareness of the potential associated risks.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [23] 9. Househ M. The use of social media in healthcare: organizational, clinical, and patient per -

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [24] spectives. Studies in health technology and informatics. 2013; 183: 244-248.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The survey questions were adopted from two other studies with the authors' consent.

    “Some of the survey questions were adopted from two other studies (26, 27) with the authors’ consent.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [26] tal Experience” for Hip and Knee Replacement Patients to Decrease Preoperative Anxiety:

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [27] A Randomized Trial. Interact J Med Res. 2016; 5(2).

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: The survey questions adopted from other studies are valid and reliable for measuring the constructs in this population.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The qualitative interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached.

    “Interviews were conducted over a period of two weeks in August 2018 until theoretical saturation was reached.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Disagreements regarding the themes between members of the research team were resolved by voting.

    “Disagreements regarding the themes between members of the research team were resolved by voting.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Sufficient evidence related to the efficacy of social media is currently limited.

    “as sufficient evidence related to the efficacy of social media is currently limited (18).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] 7. Duymus TM, Karadeniz H, Çaçan MA, Kömür B, Demirtaş A, Zehir S, et al. Internet and so -

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Healthcare scientific communities such as the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the British Medical Association have all issued social media guidelines.

    “Healthcare scientific communities such as the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (20), the American Medical Association (21), and the British Medical Association (22) have all issued social media guidelines”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [20] Orthopedics. 2017; 8(2): 178-186.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [21] 8. Saleh J, Robinson BS, Kugler NW , Illingworth KD, Patel P, Saleh KJ. Effect of social media in

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [22] health care and orthopedic surgery. Orthopedics. 2012; 35(4): 294-297. source

      Not checked in the free run.

23 of 23

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The sample of orthopaedic surgeons who participated is representative of the population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    “OSs’ perceptions and usage were generally cautious.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The survey responses accurately reflect the respondents' actual perceptions and usage of social media.

    “The questionnaire consisted of 25 questions pertaining to the orthopaedic surgeons’ demographics, use of social media in their practice, their attitudes towards social media and its use, along with their perceptions of the associated risks.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The views of the eight interviewed orthopaedic surgeons are representative of the broader population of orthopaedic surgeons in Jeddah.

    “Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted with eight orthopaedic surgeons of varying training levels and experience”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The absence of Saudi guidelines in the reviewed literature means that no formal Saudi guidelines exist.

    “However, a thorough review of the literature revealed no Saudi guidelines concerning this topic.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The survey questions adopted from other studies are valid and reliable for measuring the constructs in this population.

    “Some of the survey questions were adopted from two other studies (26, 27) with the authors’ consent.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The number of references to a theme in the qualitative transcripts indicates the theme's importance.

    “The table shows each theme with the number of times each was referenced in the transcripts based on the generated NVivo 12 analysis reports.”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Studies investigated whether participants mixed professional and personal information and activities on social media sites (blended profiles) or adopted a separation strategy (dual citizenship).

    “Studies also investigated the purpose of SM use, whether participants mixed professional and personal information and activities on SM sites (blended profiles) or adopted a separation strategy where professional information and activities were clearly separated from personal ones (dual citizenship) [34,39,69,78,79,91,96,97,106].”

    From Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [97]

    The Results (Quantitative Results; page not available) investigate orthopaedic surgeons’ purposes for using social media, including sharing medical knowledge and discussing cases with colleagues. The passages do not show that the study investigated whether participants mixed personal and professional activity on a profile or kept them separate; searches for blended profiles and separate personal and professional accounts found no such analysis. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Blurred boundaries between professional and personal spheres of social media use, with concerns about exposure of private life or separating private and professional profiles, have been presented in numerous studies in this review.

    “Blurred boundaries between professional and personal spheres of SM use [34, 39, 47, 51, 69, 78, 79, 91, 96, 97, 106], with concerns about exposure of one’s private life or separating private and professional profiles have been presented in numerous studies of this review.”

    From Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [97]

    The Quantitative Results distinguish personal-only, professional-only, and combined social media use. The Discussion (Guidelines, Ethics and Professionalism) reports privacy concerns and concerns about social versus patient-care interactions. Neither passage identifies exposure of surgeons’ private lives or difficulty separating private and professional profiles as a concern. (LLM, conf=0.78)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • A lack of social media policies was recognized as a barrier, either as a lack of models or guidelines in how to conduct themselves online in their role as physicians, manifested as fear of saying the wrong thing online, or related mainly to being unclear about whether they are supported by their employer and professional bodies.

    “A lack of SM policies was also recognized as a barrier, either as a lack of models/guidelines in how to conduct themselves online in their role as physicians, which is manifested as fear of saying the wrong thing online [76] or related mainly to being unclear about whether they are supported by their employer and professional bodies [93,97].”

    From Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [97]

    The Discussion section (‘Guidelines, Ethics and Professionalism’; page unavailable) reports concerns about social-media use, widespread unfamiliarity with formal guidelines, and calls for Saudi guidelines. It does not say physicians were unsure whether their employers or professional bodies would support them, the specific point attached to this citation. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Compromising confidentiality concerns were described in numerous studies in this review, especially about breaches of patient privacy or possible risks of violating HIPAA online.

    “Compromising confidentiality concerns were described in numerous studies in this review [34, 43, 47, 57, 91, 94, 97, 107, 111, 119], especially about breaches of patient privacy or possible risks of violating HIPAA online.”

    From Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [97]

    The Introduction and Abstract conclusion identify patient confidentiality as a concern about surgeons’ social-media use, and the Results report concern about discussing patient cases online. The paper does not mention HIPAA or establish that numerous studies in the citing review raised that specific concern. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Blurred boundaries between professional and personal spheres of social media use, with concerns about exposure of one's private life, presenting details of personal life, or separating private and professional profiles, have been presented in numerous studies in this review.

    “Blurred boundaries between professional and personal spheres of SM use [34, 39, 47, 51, 69, 78, 79, 91, 96, 97, 106], with concerns about exposure of one’s private life, presenting details of personal life, or separating private and professional profiles, have been presented in numerous studies in this review.”

    From Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [97]

    Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Guideline nonreaders exceed the cited subgroup

    Major

    The sentence says that 78 of the 49 respondents concerned about legal issues had not read guidelines. That would be 159.18% of the subgroup, not 89.65%.

    Reported 89.65 · recomputed 159.183673

  • Counts of respondents who read guidelines conflict

    Major

    Among the 87 respondents retained after screening, 13 having read guidelines leaves 74 who had not, rather than the separately reported 78.

  • Qualitative theme lists name different fourth themes

    Major

    The methods list Peer-to-Peer Relationship among the four final themes, but Table 1 lists Usage and Perceptions instead.

  • Instagram percentage does not match its count

    Minor

    The reported 45 Instagram users out of 87 respondents represent 51.72%, not 48.3%.

    Reported 48.3 · recomputed 51.724138

4 of 4

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 16

  1. vances in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Public Health Volume 6. Cham: Springer
  2. International Publishing; 2017: 131-139.
  3. 34(11): 873-876.
  4. pedic surgery. Orthop Rev. 2014; 6(3): 8.
  5. cial media usage of orthopaedic patients: A questionnaire-based survey. World Journal of
  6. Orthopedics. 2017; 8(2): 178-186.
  7. spectives. Studies in health technology and informatics. 2013; 183: 244-248.
  8. outcomes by survey. Journal of medical Internet research. 2015; 17(7).
  9. in health technology and informatics. 2015; 213: 247-250.
  10. 13. Bahkali S, Almaiman A, Bahkali A, Almaiman S, Househ MS, Alsurimi K (Eds.). The Role of
  11. 2016; 9(4): 487-495.
  12. comes. Int Surg. 2007; 92(6): 339-343.
  13. tematic review of effects on patients and on their relationship with healthcare profession-
  14. als. BMC health services research. 2016; 16(1): 442.
  15. online social networks: results of a national survey. Journal of general internal medicine.
  16. 2011; 26(10): 1168-1174.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Justinia, T., Alyami, A., Qahtani, S., Bashanfar, M. A., Khatib, M., Yahya, A. O., & Zagzoog, F.
Affiliations
  • King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (SA)
  • King Abdulaziz Medical City (SA)
  • King Abdulaziz University (SA)
Corresponding author
Taghreed Justinia
ORCID
Venue
Acta Informatica Medica
Publisher
ScopeMed
Published
2019
Volume
27
Issue
1
Pages
23-28
ISSN
0353-8109 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.5455/aim.2019.27.23-28
PMC
PMC6511278
OpenAlex
W2921698205
Cited by
25
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2
FWCI
2.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Acta Informatica Medica (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Social Media and Politics
Keywords
social media, orthopaedic surgeons, professional use of social media, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, patient confidentiality, medical ethics, professionalism, physician-patient relationship, professional guidelines, Jeddah

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review