Instagram Use Among Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Programs: New Insight for Applicants?

[BACKGROUND] Social media has emerged as a valuable resource by which prospective applicants may evaluate residency programs, with Instagram being the most widely used platform. This study aims to categorize and evaluate the accuracy of Instagram content shared by integrated plastic surgery residency programs.

[METHODS] Integrated plastic surgery residency program accounts were queried on Instagram. Post content in 2021 and 2022 was reviewed and categorized based on topics of interest to plastic surgery applicants. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between program size and total number of posts and program diversity and diversity, equity, and inclusion posts. The relationship between research posts and faculty -index was assessed using a 2-tailed test.

[RESULTS] Eighty-six program accounts with 3168 Instagram posts were analyzed. Resident life was the most common post category; 13.51% were surgical, with microsurgery being the most common subspecialty. Global health and mentorship were the least commonly posted. A weak correlation was found between program size and total posts. No significant relationship was found between diversity, equity, and inclusion posts and program diversity or between research posts and research productivity of the program.

[CONCLUSIONS] The widespread use of Instagram by integrated plastic surgery residency programs provides applicants with a valuable tool to select programs aligning with their interests. Post categorization by subjects of interest to applicants may be a useful guide for program selection. However, applicants should be aware that Instagram posts do not necessarily equate with reality.