Analyzing SNS Usage Patterns of Medical Students

Jo, Jeong Jun; Eo, Hyo Shin; Byun, Seok Ho; Yang, Kiwook; Lee, Jae Ho; Lee, Hyunsu

Abstract

University life can be stressful for even the most satisfied students. Especially medical school students have higher levels of stress. To manage their stress level and social connection, they are using SNS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SNS on medical students by analysis of SNS use pattern of medical students. In the analysis of the first grade of Medicine, 51 students (58.6%) posted on Facebook in the past year and posted a total of 1,452 articles (average: 28.5). We analyzed the content of the posts and found that most of them were celebrating a birthday (50%) or confirming their regards (18%). Next, there were other people's posts (10%) and travel posts (6%). Besides, there were profile photo upload (3%), school life (3%), romance (2%) or family (1%). Female students (16 times / 17 students) changed the profile pictures more frequently than male students (18 times / 34 students) (p = 0.003). There was no statistical significance in all items except for the change of profile picture according to sex. On the other hand, the analysis of the content of the share showed that most of the contents shared about humor (42%), food (15%) and music (14%). Most of the medical students used SNS primarily for social activities, not for educational purposes. Based on this analysis, there should be more research on how SNS can help medical students during medical education.