Social Media and Mentoring in Biomedical Research Faculty Development.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine how effective and collegial mentoring in biomedical research faculty development may be implemented and facilitated through social media.

Method: The authors reviewed the literature for objectives, concerns, and limitations of career development for junior research faculty. They tabularized these as developmental goals, and aligned them with relevant social media strengths and capabilities facilitated through traditional and/or peer mentoring.

Results: The authors derived a model in which social media is leveraged to achieve developmental goals reflected in independent and shared projects, and in the creation and expansion of support and research networks.

Conclusions: Social media may be successfully leveraged and applied in achieving developmental goals for biomedical research faculty, and potentially for those in other fields and disciplines.