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Virtual Cycle Impact On Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Instagram Presence
Meredith G. Moore, BS, Kinsey Barhorst, BS, Kyle Singerman, BS, Douglas Dembinski, MD, Ryan M. Gobble, MD
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
2021-01-19
Presenter: Meredith G. Moore
Affidavit:
Yes
Director Name: Ann Schwentker
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
PURPOSE: We seek to characterize the social media implications of a virtualized application cycle for Integrated Plastic Surgery applicants.
METHODS: Programs were catalogued from the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons (ACAPS) website. Instagram (IG) handles for each Integrated program, post counts, dates, and types were collected. The virtual recruitment study period was defined as May 15th, 2020 (ACAPS virtual cycle announcement) to October 21st, 2020 (revised application deadline).
RESULTS: Of 82, 76 programs (92.7%) have a dedicated IG page. Accounts had mean 27 posts (range 1-122, median 22). From 5/25-10/21/2020, programs made 41.8% ± 3.53% of all posts; for 21 programs, ≥50% of posts came during this period. Number of resident spots available was positively related to number of posts: linear regression coefficient 6.91, p<0.005. Thirteen (17.1%) first posts occurred after 5/15 (range 10/4/2015-8/3/2020). Multi-image posts totaled 36.7% of overall posts (770 of 2073) and were used by 72 programs (94.7%). Only 39 (51.3%) created video posts, and this amounted to 217 of 2099 (10.5%) of all posts. IG TV reels were used by 30 (39.5%) accounts, ranging 1-40 reels each. 50 of 76 (65.8%) of program profiles had "Story Highlights." Accounts garnered mean 1,451 followers (range 378-4,703) with follower-to-following ratio of 7.6 (range 0.44-131.4).
CONCLUSION:
IG has become a recruitment tool. Those programs with more positions posted more often, and thirteen programs created an account after virtualized resident selection was announced. Nearly half of all posts were made after the announcement and prior to the October application deadline.
