Using social media to connect, facilitate communication, and practice knowledge translation

Thank you for inviting me to write an editorial for the European Journal of Physiotherapy. I am pleased to be given the opportunity to share some of my thoughts on social media. I have a special interest in science communication, blogging and connecting with physiotherapists and others globally using Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. I believe that social media is a powerful tool for sharing, to further promote and develop health care, as well as advancing different fields of physiotherapy.

I work as an ergonomist/physiotherapist in the area of occupational health and ergonomics in Sweden. For me, the starting point for using social media professionally was when I received funding to run a communication project. As a researcher, it afforded me the opportunity to develop new strategies for digital communication.

The interest of social media as a platform to connect and share knowledge has increased among different health care professionals, such as physiotherapists [1,2]. Recent debate has also emphasised the researchers’ responsibility to communicate, disseminate and implement scientific results into society [3]. However, lack of time, knowledge and rewards are obstacles for science communication among many researchers even though they find it important [4,5].

Dissemination of research is relevant to the field of physiotherapy, as research findings are encouraged to find their way into practical everyday use. Knights et al [2] suggest that physiotherapists can use social media to enhance care delivery and treatment outcome. Many patients are ready for social media platforms. Previous research summarises that use of digital and social media can facilitate knowledge translation, efficient communication and interactions. It may also contribute to build professional networks increasing connections among health professionals [1,6,7]. Recently, a group of researchers and physiotherapists presented interesting views on the benefits and threats of using social media for presenting and implementing evidence [8] . One key message from the group was the need to carefully evaluate the information being shared.

Connecting physiotherapists on twitter

I have made several rewarding contacts by using Twitter. Within our international network through the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT), the hashtag #GlobalPT has developed significant traction on Twitter as both a professional beacon and community recognition badge. That is where I Dr. Charlotte Wåhlin (@CSWahlin) first connected with my research group; Dr. Mark Merolli from Australia (@merollim), Ann Green from England (@AGreenCovPhysio) and Maria-Louisa Busuttil from Malta (@MariaLouisaBusu). We are all physiotherapists enjoying and engaged collaboration to further develop and raise awareness to professional issues in this area. We have found that Twitter as a medium is well-suited to disseminate information, globalise conferences and stimulate professional networking [1]. You are welcome to read our publication ‘Global Communication Practices of Physiotherapists on Twitter’ [1].

In support of the power of Twitter, It was pleasing to meet many physiotherapists in Cape Town for #WCPT2017. Twitter was a key communication medium. In total, 26 million impression and 2000 tweeters connected during the conference. This is impressive and shows the potential that Twitter has for developing our global network.

Be a physiotherapist and a blogger

Blogging is another often underutilised engagement strategy. I am a managing editor for a Swedish blog on topics related to occupational health, ergonomics and environmental medicine. We are a team of various health professionals who blog in our clinical environment. The primary reason for blogging is for knowledge translation and dissemination to relevant target groups such as, workers, employers, experts in different field, or patients and politicians. Since the day one, over 170 blog posts have been produced and published. Notably, to successfully launch and maintain a blog requires sufficient support (time, money and staff), a dedicated communication plan, targeted audience, continual refresh and updates, and writing comprehensible texts tailored to both the audience and context.

Find inspiration to use social media

Throughout the years, I have been inspired by researchers and other physiotherapists that use social media to create and drive a global physiotherapy community. Examples include, Emma Stokes (@ekstokes)- President of WCPT (@WCPT1951) and Stefan Jutterdal (@StefanJutterdal)- President of the Swedish Physiotherapy Association (@fysioswe). Simply articulated, reaching out to connect and share makes the world a smaller place. You can always find people that are interested in similar areas as you. For example, I have met several with interest in #PhysicalActivity by following @exerciseworks.

There are two social media guides for physiotherapists that I have found to be very useful if you need some practical guidance to get started on social media. One is from Australia [6] and the other one is from Canada [7].

Allow me to ask, ‘Are you using social media professionally?’ If not, hopefully this editorial has given you some inspiration to get started. Perhaps Twitter may become a professional tool. You may also benefit from joining some of the networks of WCPT, or various global physiotherapy associations on Facebook and Linkedin. The Occupational Health and Ergonomics WCPT Group is one example; https://www.wcpt.org/IFPTOHE

Finally, thank you to Editor @annesode for signalling the value and importance of social media in this journal. Let the learning and sharing continue. I hope that we will meet at #WCPT2019, in real life or on Twitter, using the hashtags #GlobalPT #Physiotherapy #Physicaltherapy.