Assessment and Evaluation of Social Engagement in Dermatology Residency Programs on Instagram: Cross-sectional Study

Chapman, Wei Bernstein Sophie Adusumilli Nagasai Marchitto Mark Chen Frank Rajpara Anand

Without these traditional in-person experiences, applicants needed new ways to get to know one another and learn about programs. [...]many programs created or enhanced their social media accounts, specifically Instagram, providing an avenue for students to learn about their specific program [2]. Relative to Twitter and Facebook, Instagram is the ideal social media platform for recruitment because it offers the least amount of negative emotional content while providing positive entertainment, social interaction, and quick information [5]. [...]dermatology residency programs can easily interact with potential applicants through their posts. Characteristics Value Categorical variables, n (%) Active (posts more recent than November 2020) 69 (88.5) Instagram Stories Highlights (photos or videos up to 15 seconds in length that are featured on the profile permanently) 40 (51.3) Instagram Reels (15-30–second videos that can incorporate music or special effects) 3 (3.8) Instagram TV (long-form videos up to 60 minutes in length) 19 (24.4) Location, n (%) East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI) 17 (21.8) East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN) 4 (5.1) Mid-Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA) 9 (11.5) Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY) 2 (2.6) New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) 6 (7.7) Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) 8 (10.3) South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV) 17 (21.8) West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD) 8 (10.3) West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX) 7 (9.0) Territory (PR) 0 (0) Program affiliation, n (%) Community 3 (3.8) Community with university affiliation 10 (12.8) University 65 (83.3) Military 0 (0) Continuous variables, mean (SD);range Account age (days) (as of March 07, 2021) 346.8 (396.7);6-2471 Total followersa 567.4 (289.8);81-2260 Total accounts following 186.5 (251.1);3-2045 Total posts 51.7 (57.0);2-263 Number of education posts 3.1 (5.5);0-25 Number of departmental posts 29.8 (37.1);2-191 Number of academic and professional posts 7.8 (10.8);0-50 Number of social posts 7.7 (8.6);0-37 Number of other posts 3.2 (5.5);0-26 Instagram engagement score 9.06 (3.4);2.8-23.8 aOutcome of interest.