Most influential women neurosurgeons on Twitter

Background

Social media platforms can increase gender diversity and foster community within the neurosurgical field. Women have been historically underrepresented in neurosurgery. The purpose of this study is to compile a list of women neurosurgeons on Twitter according to their social media influence and identify whether social media influence correlates with academic productivity.

Methods

Women neurosurgeons (post-residency) in the United States who have Twitter accounts were obtained via the Women in Neurosurgery Twitter account and individuals who used the hashtag: #womeninneurosurgery (n= 50). Social media influence (followers, original posts, likes, retweets) was extracted through Popsters social media analytics platform for each of the accounts from January 1st, 2023 to June 30th, 2023. The efficiency metric standardized retweets for follower count, as well as number of posts. Academic H-index scores were ascertained via SCOPUS. 3 lists were created based off the efficiency metric, follower count, and average likes per post.

Results

The relationship between the efficiency metric (average retweets per post per follower) and H-index was not significant at level of p < 0.05, whereas the relationships between follower count and H-index, and average likes per posts and H-index were significant at p < 0.05.

Conclusion

The significant positive association found between H-index and average likes, as well as H-index and follower count demonstrates that social media influence and academic productivity/influence may go hand in hand. The lists of women neurosurgeons may serve as a guide for individuals interested in following women neurosurgeons on Twitter. Additionally, this would aid in fostering a community supportive of women neurosurgeons. Further, this may also inform individuals who would like to grow their presence on social media on how to build their following.