#RheumTwitter - The rise of social media in rheumatology: Research, collaboration, education, and engagement

Abstract

Social media broadly refers to an internet-based platform that allows for the online publication of content that is shared across a virtual community or network. Over recent years, there has been growing utilization of social media in the medical community. The field of rheumatology is no different. Social media allows for the sharing of information among rheumatologists, which can be useful in online education, disseminating research findings, forming new networks of collaborators, and discussing the latest advances in the field. However, there are several challenges facing clinicians using social media. As such, regulatory bodies have produced advisory codes of conduct to ensure better awareness concerning the appropriate use of social media among clinicians. In addition, clinicians (even those who do not use social media) need to be mindful of the fact that many patients will use these online platforms to find information, and with this comes the risk of false information. In this review, we highlight the benefits and challenges facing rheumatologists in relation to the world of social media.