The Use of Social Media to Promote Lab Medicine to Students, Patients, and the General Public.

Abstract

Background: The clinical laboratory provides critical information by which medical decisions are made. However, few understand the effort and support required to deliver high-quality results. This has led to unfavorable federal legislation that threatens the ability of laboratorians to be innovative and advance the field.

Methods: A social media campaign was launched in late 2023 in an attempt to educate the general public as to the value of the clinical lab in hopes of reversing this trend. Featured topics include clinical chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, molecular diagnostics, and clinical microbiology.

Results: To date, 26 posts have been made via a popular social media site. Each of these videos is between 2 and 3 minutes long and features an individual who endures a medical condition or medicolegal situation where clinical laboratory results are central to the outcome of the case. Using social media vernacular, the popularity of these videos is reflected by the number of "views," "likes," and "followers." To date, these values are 5 million, 86 000, and 44 000, respectively. It is difficult if not impossible to objectively document the long-term impact of this social media campaign on the profession.

Conclusions: An alternative means of promoting the field of laboratory medicine is required if the field is to be adequately funded and staffed to meet current and future testing goals.