Social Media Analysis of Instagram Reveals Increased Scrub Attire in Non-OR Settings.

Abstract

Background: Physician attire on social media impacts patient perceptions of professionalism, competency, and trustworthiness. Plastic surgeons have rapidly adopted social media for educating and recruiting patients. Although social media is increasingly integrated into plastic surgery practice, there is little data on the attire surgeons portray themselves in online. This study explores trends in the attire of plastic surgeons in the USA in non-OR clinical settings through social media analysis.

Methods: Public Instagram accounts were identified by searching #PlasticSurgery and #PlasticSurgeon. Only USA-based board-certified plastic surgeons were included. Three pictures per surgeon per year (2018-2022) in non-OR clinical settings were randomly selected. Attire was categorized as scrubs, professional clothing, or business casual. The use of a white coat along with the geographic region (West, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast) was also recorded.

Results: In total, 1000 pictures (100 surgeons) were reviewed. ANOVA testing revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences over time with a trend toward decreased white coat and increased scrub use over the past 5 years. Significant gender differences were also noted, including male plastic surgeons wearing scrubs more often and white coat less often than female plastic surgeons (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Plastic surgeons looking to maintain an Instagram presence may consider posting in scrubs and no white coat versus traditional professional clinic attire to be aligned with modern social media trends. Further study is necessary to understand how these trends continue to evolve and what impact the pandemic may have had on plastic surgeons' clinical attire.

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