Date Presented 04/04/19
The purpose of this study is to explore the usage patterns within a group of OTs on Facebook. Social media is widely used to collaborate, share practical knowledge and resources, and provide social support. There is an absence of research examining how OTs participate in social media and the kinds of information exchanged. Posts were analyzed to determine the types of knowledge shared, themes of communication, and OTPF-3 correspondence. Facebook groups are useful professional practice tools.
Primary Author and Speaker: Cheryl Sheffield
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore the usage patterns within a group of occupational therapists (OTs) in the social media platform, Facebook. Social media is widely used by healthcare professionals to collaborate, share practical knowledge and resources, and provide social support. It is a valuable tool for knowledge translation, especially through established communities of practice. There is an absence of research examining how OTs participate in social media and the kinds of information exchanged.
DESIGN: Ethnographic design of members of an existing closed Facebook group. 308 posts from 270 members with 4417 replies and 4163 associated reactions were used for data analysis.
METHOD: Collect and examine posts over a 28-day period from the Occupational Therapy Treatment Ideas & Information Facebook (OTTI) group using a mixed methods approach. Data was analyzed using deductive and inductive approaches to determine the types of knowledge shared, themes of communication, and correspondence with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)’s Occupational Therapy Practice Framework – 3 (OTPF-3).
RESULTS: The OTTI group is primarily used to post knowledge about the practice of occupational therapy. Posts reflective of professional culture knowledge generate the most activity. Language and discussion topics reflect agreement with OTPF-3.
CONCLUSION: Consistent with existing literature, OTs use a Facebook group professionally for collaboration, knowledge translation, and social support. The OTTI Facebook group links OTs across the United States of America and the world to seek and share practical and cultural knowledge. Professionals are increasingly using Facebook as a professional tool. It is important to understand the usage patterns, common topics of interest, and the vast potential of the platform for the profession. Facebook can be a useful tool for OTs to seek and share professional resources worldwide, to recruit potential subjects and collaborators for research, and as a knowledge translation tool. Facebook is also showing huge potential to influence OT practice as it can reach wide audiences quickly and easily as well as for professional development and continuing education activities.
References
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