Purpose
This project aimed to increase pediatric rheumatology exposure for general pediatric residents at a single center. As engagement exceeded our target audience, we analyzed trends in viewer interactions. Social media, like past communication tools, allows for wide dissemination of diverse content, reaching a large, potentially global audience. The purpose of this study was to show that social media can be used to reach many viewers across the US and internationally.

Methods
Starting in January 2023, faculty created weekly NBME-style questions based on the American Board of Pediatrics Rheumatology Outline. These questions were posted on Instagram (@bcmpeds) for 24 hours, followed by answer explanations. Data on usernames, views, responses, and demographics (e.g., profession and location) were collected from Instagram bios. We compared engagement between those identifying as healthcare professionals and others. Data analysis was performed using R Studio and Excel.

Results
Our project reached 994 unique participants on Instagram, with 424 identifying as medical professionals. Participants were from 38 U.S. states and several countries, including in the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The total number of interactions for the entirety of 2023 totals 4557 views; from January 2024 to July 2024 that number is 2209 views.

Conclusions
This project shows that social media can be used to reach a wider audience that spans a large geographic area and may transcend profession, even when delivered on what would be considered a US-based, medically centered platform.