Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Neurosurgery Publications
Recent research looked into whether promoting neurosurgery articles on social media affects how often they are cited by other researchers. Here’s what the study found and what it means for patients and clinics.
What Worked?
- Social media promotion increased the visibility of articles, shown by higher Altmetric scores. This means more people saw and engaged with the articles online.
What Didn’t Work?
- Despite the increased visibility, there was no significant increase in citation counts over a longer period. This means that just sharing articles on social media does not necessarily lead to more researchers referencing them in their work.
How Does This Help Patients or Clinics?
While social media can help get the word out about new research, it does not guarantee that other doctors will cite this research in their own work. This suggests that clinics should consider other ways to promote important findings to ensure they are used effectively.
Real-World Opportunities for Hospitals and Doctors
- Use social media to share important research findings, but combine it with other methods to encourage citations.
- Consider hosting discussions or seminars to highlight key studies and their implications for practice.
Measurable Outcomes to Track
- Track citation counts of articles over time to see if they change with different promotion strategies.
- Monitor website visits and engagement rates on social media posts related to the articles.
AI Tools to Consider
- AI tools can analyze engagement data from social media to help identify what types of posts attract more attention.
- AI can also assist in creating targeted content that resonates with specific audiences.
Step-by-Step Plan for Clinics
- Start by sharing a few key articles on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook.
- Monitor the engagement and visibility of these posts for a few months.
- Combine social media efforts with other strategies, such as hosting educational events.
- Gradually increase the number of articles shared and the variety of platforms used based on what works best.
For more detailed information on the research, you can read the full study here.
