Within six days of the World Health Organization’s declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) recommended that medical students be dismissed from their clinical duties involving patient contact for a minimum of two weeks. Due to required physical distancing and the absence of stimulation from clinical experiences, many students have felt disconnected and concerned with the stagnancy of their trajectory toward neurosurgery. As a result, medical students are transitioning to alternative learning platforms such as Social Media (SoMe) to continue advancing their clinical knowledge and to develop community within the field of neurosurgery. Through SoMe, students are broadening their neurosurgical knowledge, discovering research opportunities, and networking within the field of neurosurgery.
The Mount Sinai Neurosurgery Department recently hosted a global telerounds on “Social Media and the Neurosurgeon,” which emphasized the three primary benefits of social media and the specific values of Twitter. Collectively, social media is advantageous for marketing, networking, and staying current. While medical students cannot market services, we can demonstrate our interest in neurosurgery, promote our research contributions, and share events with other students.
Twitter is currently the most popular platform within the neurosurgical community to create and strengthen connections, establish a narrative, educate others, and disseminate research. Consequently, neurosurgical societies and programs have relied on Twitter to advertise and share educational materials and to ensure more equitable preparation for the upcoming, virtual application cycle. For example, the Department of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Health System has constructed a medical student lecture series throughout June and July, and the Brain and Spine Group have launched virtual boot camps. Furthermore, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) has sponsored a two-day, online symposium for students in early June to engage with neurosurgical residents from across the country in question-and-answer sessions about their programs. Students are using Twitter to obtain up-to-date information on these events, further highlighting the importance of SoMe during this time.
With SoMe, there is space for connection in spite of the physical distancing demanded by our current conditions. Learners and teachers are embracing the technology of their era to stay abreast of ever-changing circumstances. Come and join them!
Neurosurgical Twitter Accounts
@AANSNeuro – The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is another significant organization, formerly known as the Harvey Cushing Society, that is devoted to leadership, excellence, and integrity within the field of neurosurgery.
@youngneuros – The Young Neurosurgeons Committee of AANS provides a channel for young neurosurgeons under the age of 40 or not yet board certified to be involved in AANS leadership.
@AANSNeurosurg – Your online source for neurosurgical news and information, written BY those involved in the neurosurgical specialty FOR those practicing in the field.
@NSGYPodcast – The Neurosurgery Podcast is hosted by Michael Y. Wang, MD, FAANS, of the University of Miami with co-host John Paul Kolcun, MD, of Rush University. Various topics within neurosurgery are discussed in a recent “Hell Week” series designed to prepare incoming interns for entry into residency.
@BrainSpineGroup – The Medical Student Neurosurgery Training Center provides in-person and web-based education opportunities for those interested in neurosurgery. This group helps facilitates the virtual, medical student training camps with east and west coast neurosurgical programs.
@TheJNS – The official Journal of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
@CNS_Update – The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) is one of the prominent bodies of neurosurgeons dedicated to neurosurgical education and innovation. The CNS recently sponsored the virtual, national symposium with resident program Q&A sessions for medical students applying this cycle for neurosurgical residency.
@NeurosurgeryCNS – The official Journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons is your most complete window on the contemporary field of neurosurgery.
References
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2. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/27-04-2020-who-timeline—covid-19
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx8fjRpDMd4&feature=youtu.be
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