Allergy/immunology fellowship programs and departments, and their social media presence: a 4 year comparison

IntroductionThis is the first study evaluating how allergy/immunology training programs and departments use social media as a promotional and educational tool.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of social media presence of ACGME-accredited allergy/immunology training programs and departments was performed between May 5, 2018-June 5, 2018 and June 11, 2022-July 11, 2022.ResultsNone of the 79 U.S.-based allergy/immunology fellowship programs or departments had Twitter accounts in 2018. 4 programs (of 82) had accounts in 2022 (4.8% of programs). 4 departments had Twitter accounts 2018 vs. 14 in 2022 (17% of departments). Only 1 program director had a Twitter account in 2008 vs. 6 in 2022 (7.3% of program directors). No fellowship programs had Facebook accounts in 2018 vs. 3 programs in 2022. 2 departments had official Facebook accounts in 2008 vs. 8 in 2022 (9.7% of departments).ConclusionPrevalence of social media use at US allergy/immunology fellowship programs increased between 2018 and 2022 but remained very low at 4.8% of programs for Twitter and 3.6% for Facebook. Departments had more social media accounts vs programs. Only 7.3% of program directors had Twitter accounts in 2022. Low prevalence of social media use among allergy/immunology fellowship programs and departments is in contrast with training programs in other fields such as general surgery: 47.2% of programs had Twitter accounts, 40.2% of program directors (PMID: 34191853). Use of social media by fellowship programs and departments can increase the awareness of the specialty and improve recruitment practice, physician and patient education.