Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Pharmacology, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital
2 Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Abstract
CONTEXT: There is limited evidence on the influence of social media among medical students.
AIMS: To assess the pattern of social media usage among medical students in eastern part of India
and analyze self‑perceived impact on academic performance and interpersonal relations.
Methods: This cross‑sectional study was based on an online survey, taken by 650 medical students
at a tertiary medical center in Kolkata. The survey was created using an online tool, Google Forms.
It assessed social media usage patterns and students’ perspective on how it affects their academic
performance and interpersonal relations.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to quantify the
association between self‑rated academic performance and social and physical well‑being, with
different variables, assuming linear relationships. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The usable responder rate was 55.23%, with majority being undergraduates (57.3%) in the
age group of 18–24years. The proportion who confirmed using social media was 88.58%(95% confidence
interval [CI]: 85.29%–91.87%), mainly for academic purposes (82.73%; 95% CI: 78.82%–86.64%). In
general, social media usage was more prevalent among medical students compared to paramedical
and nursing students (P = 0.009), although the extent of use for an academic purpose was comparable.
Nearly two‑thirds (60.87%) regarded social networking having a positive (improved) impact on academic
performance. However, the perceived impact on interpersonal relations was inconclusive (i.e., was
positive and negative in a nearly equal measure; 45% each).
CONCLUSIONS: Social media usage for academic purposes is high among medical and paramedical
students. Students benefit from social networking and are conscious of its positive as well as negative
influence on interpersonal relations.
Keywords
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