Digital work engagement among Italian neurologists

ABSTRACT

Background and aims: In 2018 we surveyed the use of social media and digital devices among Italian neurologists. In the present study, we evaluated whether major changes had occurred in a short time-frame and indirectly assessed the impact of the Sars-COV-2 virus and the related COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Online survey (September 2020 to January 2021) to collect information on attitude toward digital health of members of the Italian Society of Neurology (SIN). The outline of the survey was the same as the prior study. Results: One hundred and nine neurologists participated in the survey. Some major changes were found compared to 2018 fewer participants reported using the tablet (23% versus 43%;p < 0.001) and Facebook (18% versus 32%;p = 0.006) for professional purposes. More participants reported that social media had worsened the doctor-patient relationship, and were against a friendship with their patients in social media. There was a trend towards higher use of WhatsApp (92% versus 82%;p = 0.018), and a significant reduction in active involvement in personal websites, blogs, or online forums. Conclusions: Dramatic changes in the attitudes towards social media have occurred in Italy in a very short timeframe, probably due to the concurrent pandemic and its impact on daily practice, and the dissemination of online misinformation.