Social media has become a great tool for medical research due to its ability to reach a wide audience and provide real-time data. Its interactive nature allows for direct engagement with users, making data collection more effective. #MedTwitter is used to share new medical discoveries, clinical algorithms, new procedural techniques, and new treatments of diseases. The value of #MedTwitter was made evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. #MedTwitter allowed healthcare providers to keep pace with new treatment protocols for Covid-19.1 This international media allowed researchers to conduct research with continuous live data entry. Social media was also used for research and data collection via a study conducted by Wakamiya et al. in 2018 to detect influenza outbreaks via GPS locations, user profile information, and referred locations based on what had been posted (tweeted).2 This demonstrated that X (Twitter) can be an effective tool for research and real-time data collection, spanning more than just data sharing.

The online community on X(Twitter) enables physicians to foster relationships with trainees, allowing medical students, residents, and fellows to connect with attendings who are not employed with their institutions (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 9, Fig. 10). Real-time interactions allow trainees and other medical professionals to receive guidance on navigating their careers. Through the Hashtag #Unmatched, there have been multiple instances of graduated medical students who were unmatched being connected to programs with open residency spots, allowing students the opportunity to match to residency programs (Fig. 4, Fig. 5).

Social Media has become a powerful tool to drive social policy changes, leveraging the impact of hashtags to mobilize public opinions and influence decision-makers. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, #MedBikini, #ILookLikeaSurgeon have raised awareness and sparked conversation around critical social issues (Fig. 8). Social media provides physicians a platform to organize and amplify their voices in support of the movement, often leading to policy changes and increased accountability from the government. The #BlacklivesMatter and #ILookLikeaSurgeon movement led the CDC to declare racism a public health threat.3,4

Podcasts and other digital media have changed the landscape of medical education and leadership by providing diverse learning opportunities. These platforms allow professionals and students to engage in discussions on the latest research, interview experts, and discuss cases. This gives people access to high-quality content regardless of location. These platforms break the constraints of the traditional classroom setting allowing for multitasking and enabling listeners to absorb information while commuting or exercising.

Platforms like CRSVirtual and SurgeOn provide avenues for surgeons to engage in discussions, share insights, and demonstrate leadership in their respective fields. For instance, CRSVirtual, run by colon and rectal surgery fellows under the guidance of established leaders, offers a platform for discussing cutting-edge as well as reinforcing standard topics in colon and rectal surgery, showcasing leadership potential among emerging professionals.

Podcasts, such as Behind the Knife and GutCheck, provide another avenue for surgeons to demonstrate leadership and expertise. By hosting interviews and discussions on pertinent surgical topics, hosts like Dr. Sharon Stein and Dr. Jon Monson elevate their profiles and contribute to the knowledge-sharing culture within the surgical community.

Similarly, Facebook groups, like the ASCRS page, serve as forums for surgeons to seek advice, share experiences, and demonstrate leadership through active engagement. Leaders within these groups often emerge organically, based on their contributions and willingness to help others navigate complex surgical scenarios.

Instagram, and now TikTok, have come into the light as impressive learning tools with well-known colon and rectal surgeons showcasing their knowledge, and making healthcare more easily accessible to the masses. Dr. Karen Zaghiyan is a board-certified CRS on TikTok who posts videos detailing answers to some of the patients' most common questions. She describes the "Dos and Don'ts" of a healthy bowel regimen, answers common questions about hemorrhoids, and overall has committed ample hours to the education of thousands of people around the world (Fig. 11).