‘I don’t see myself as a 40-year-old on Facebook’ : medical students’ dilemmas in developing professionalism with social media

Curtis, Fiona and Gillen, J (2019) ‘I don’t see myself as a 40-year-old on Facebook’ : medical students’ dilemmas in developing professionalism with social media. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 43 (2). pp. 251-262. ISSN 0309-877X

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Abstract

Students’ development of professionalism is vital within medical education, while social media communications can blur professional and personal boundaries. In the UK advice for medical practitioners and students has been developed, advocating care in the projection of a professional identity online as offline. This study takes an academic literacies approach to a small-scale investigation of attitudes and practices of second-year medical students in a British university through a focus group and paired interview, recognising that issues of identity and power are multi-layered and complex. Use of social media focuses primarily on Facebook, where they had already begun to adapt their self-presentation. Depictions of alcohol use are a particular area of concern. The students’ reflections demonstrate professionalism in respect of care for patient confidentiality and privacy. Yet they express an ambivalent sense of a future trajectory in which continuing social media use may appear simultaneously undesirable and yet vital. A finding of considerable concern is a reluctance to challenge inappropriate online behaviour despite policy guidelines. New generations growing up with social media raise challenges and opportunities for medical education that require greater attention and the development of participatory approaches to research, increasing understanding that in turn may be beneficial for policy-makers.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Further and Higher Education
Additional Information:
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Further and Higher Education on 23/08/2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0309877X.2017.1359503
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3304
Subjects:
?? digital professionalismsocial mediafacebookfocus groupsmedical educationprofessionalismeducation ??
ID Code:
85722
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
27 Mar 2017 13:26
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
01 Jan 2024 00:15