Abstract Details

Title #HowToNeuroTwitter: Evaluating the Impact of a Comprehensive #NeuroTwitterNetwork Guide for the 2020-2021 Neurology Residency Application Cycle

Topic Research Methodology, Education, and History

Presentation(s) Research Methodology and Education Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 052

Background Due to COVID-19 and the unprecedented changes to neurology residency interview season, a team of neurology trainees initiated a grassroots effort to highlight #NeuroTwitterNetwork through the creation of a comprehensive guide: #HowToNeuroTwitter.

Objective To understand the impact of a novel social media guide, #HowToNeuroTwitter, on how neurology applicants and residency programs utilize Twitter throughout the 2020-2021 neurology residency application process.

Design/Methods Participants self-enrolled through a publicly available virtual form, recruited through Twitter, alternative social media platforms, and online forums. The first edition of the #HowToNeuroTwitter guide was published in August 2020.

Results The first edition of the #HowToNeuroTwitter Guide featured 462 registered users, composed of 122 medical students, 158 neurology residents/fellows, and 182 attending physicians. The guide launched on August 9th, 2020 in a Twitter post generating 29,874 impressions, 4,443 engagements, 1,242 link clicks, 207 likes, and 160 retweets. A unique hyperlink, “bit.ly/NeuroTwitterNetwork” allowing for monitoring of guide utilization, is currently at >1800 interactions. Following inaugural release, a utilization survey was completed by 31 individuals with 30 of 31 rating the guide >/= 8 out of 10. Respondents stated primary uses of the guide included identifying other neurologists, medical education leaders, and neurological organization Twitter accounts with which to interact. A noted correlation following the release of the #HowToNeuroTwitter guide and amplification of the “#NeuroTwitterNetwork” hashtag was the increase by 204% of neurology residency programs (n=24 to n=73) and 142% of 4th year US medical students self-identifying as neurology applicants (n=29 to n=70) on Twitter.

Conclusions A trainee driven initiative to increase Twitter utilization as a networking, recruitment, and educational tool has led to the creation of a novel social media guide, spurring the utilization of Twitter by neurologists. Given our demonstration of feasibility and reach, national organizations in neurology should consider adopting this activity to advocate for medical students considering neurology training.

Authors/Disclosures
Aaron Zelikovich, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Zelikovich has nothing to disclose.
Eric C. Lawson, MD (Emory University School of Medicine)	Dr. Lawson has nothing to disclose.
Joshua A. Budhu, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)	Dr. Budhu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for AAN. The institution of Dr. Budhu has received research support from BMSF. The institution of Dr. Budhu has received research support from Commonwealth Fund. The institution of Dr. Budhu has received research support from National Cancer Institute . Dr. Budhu has received research support from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Budhu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Peer Reviewer with Medscape.
Chrisoula Cheronis, MD (Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital/ Stanford University Medical Center)	Ms. Cheronis has nothing to disclose.
Jose R. Lopez-Castellanos, MD	Dr. Lopez-Castellanos has nothing to disclose.
Alexandria Cummuta	Ms. Cummuta has nothing to disclose.
Giana Dawod, MD (NYP/Cornell)	Ms. Dawod has nothing to disclose.
Justine Ker, MD (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)	Dr. Ker has nothing to disclose.
Sushma Kola, MD	Dr. Kola has nothing to disclose.
Christina Lineback, MD (McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University)	Dr. Lineback has nothing to disclose.
Rafid Mustafa, MD (Mayo Clinic, Department of Neurology)	Dr. Mustafa has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Horizon Therapeutics. Dr. Mustafa has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for PicnicHealth.
Stephanie L. Reyes, MD	Miss Reyes has nothing to disclose.
Julia R. Schneider, DO	Dr. Schneider has nothing to disclose.
Brian Stamm, MD	Dr. Stamm has nothing to disclose.
Wajiha Yousuf, MD	Miss Yousuf has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file