Introduction: The recent increased use of online physician ratings has incited a paradigm shift in providers’ ability to establish an online reputation. Spine surgeons' utilization of social media may play a role in these subsequent online ratings. There remains a knowledge gap in the literature examining the relationship between spine surgeons' utilization of social media and its subsequent impact on online physician ratings. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the possible relationship between the utilization of social media amongst spine surgeons and its relation to online physician ratings.
Methods: A cross-sectional review of the North American Spine Society(NASS) members as of May 1st, 2024. The presence of social media(Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and personal professional website) and online physician reviews(Google, Healthgrades, Vitals) were collected. Statistical analyses were compared among physicians who did and did not have any social media. An active social media presence was defined as having any posts within the last six months.
Results: Of the 2683 surgeons, 1947(72.6%) had any social media, and 178 surgeons(6.63%) had active social media accounts. Surgeons with active social media had significantly increased Health Grades [49.6(67.1), 42.0(50.2)](p=0.001), number of comments[28.1(42.4), 24.2(34.3)](p=0.001), Vitals Rating[4.14(0.71), 4.09(0.69)(p=0.033)], and Vitals number of ratings[44.7(46.4), 39.1(36.9)(p=0.033)].
Conclusion : Surgeons who demonstrated active social media use were found to have significantly improved physician website review scores and increased overall number of comments, thus suggesting the utilization of social media may positively impact online physician ratings.
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