The Use of Social Media in Anatomical Pathology: Perceptions, Benefits, Challenges, and Risks According to Moroccan Pathologists

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Meriem Regragui
Abderrahmane Mellouki
Mehdi Karkouri

Abstract

Introduction: The use of social media in anatomical pathology practice offers many benefits, but also disadvantages and risks. Adoption of these tools by pathologists remains controversial.
Objective: To explore Moroccan pathologists' perceptions of the use of social media in pathology, to evaluate their involvement and to discuss the associated benefits, obstacles and risks.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Moroccan anatomical pathologists using an anonymous online questionnaire.
Results: A total of 49 participants completed the survey. Most participants reported that social media had a positive impact on their practice (71 %), and considered its use to have become essential (67,3 %). Case sharing and learning were cited as the two main benefits. A substantial proportion of participants stated that they had never shared a pathology case on social media (69 %), and had never commented on a case (31 %). English as the main language was regarded as an obstacle by 65.3% of participants, and the creation of bilingual platforms (English/French) was supported by the vast majority (91.8%).
Conclusion: The present study reveals that Moroccan pathologists uses social media in their practice. The benefits are numerous, and seem to surpass the obstacles and risks. However, the majority take a passive approach. The use of social media in anatomical pathology is a vast topic, in
which each dimension deserves further study.

Keywords:

anatomical pathology, social media, practice, survey, opinion

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