Social media for international surgical skills transfer: using pneumatic retinopexy as a model.

OBJECTIVE

To assess social media as a potential method of bridging the gap between randomized controlled trial evidence and the implementation of pneumatic retinopexy (PnR).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Vitreoretinal surgeons from a Telegram chat group that was initiated in May 2020 for educating ophthalmologists about PnR.

METHODS

Between July 25, 2023, and September 25, 2023, longitudinal chat usage was recorded using an automated chatbot, and a subgroup of surgeons was surveyed about the effect of the Telegram group on their PnR practice.

RESULTS

Telegram group membership increased from 43 members in May 2020 to 885 members in June 2024, with representation from 64 different countries. A subset of 653 members sent a mean (SD) of 2.6 (28.2) messages and were active 56.4 (195.0) times between July and September 2023. Eighty-one surgeons from 35 different countries completed the survey. Between the year before and year after joining the Telegram group, the proportions of surgeons that treated >25% of RRD cases with PnR (8.6% vs 44.4%; p < .001) and self-reported >80% primary anatomical reattachment rate (27.2% vs 48.1%; p < .001) increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Social media may be leveraged to support the refinement of surgical techniques such as PnR for physician trainees and practicing surgeons, as well as increase surgical adoption into routine practice, a process that can otherwise take several decades. A randomized implementation trial that compares social media to other dissemination and implementation strategies while incorporating effectiveness and safety outcomes is warranted.