Comprehensive Summary
This cross-sectional survey evaluated social media and artificial intelligence (AI) use among gynecologic oncology fellows across the U.S. Between December 2023 and January 2024, surveys were distributed to ACGME-accredited programs, and 36 fellows responded (~20% of all fellows nationally). Median age was 32 years, and 83.3% were female. Nearly all participants used social media personally (62.5% strongly agreed, 25.0% agreed), but fewer used it for professional purposes: 43.8% for education, 31.3% for professional promotion, and only 18.8% for networking with peers or patients. Despite this, 93.8% desired more reliable patient-directed information, and 50% agreed that social media has utility in fellowship recruitment. Fellows expressed concern about misinformation, privacy, and lack of guidance on professional use. AI adoption was reported by 53.1% of fellows, most often via ChatGPT. Among users, 64.7% applied AI for research support, 35.3% for professional writing, and only 11.8% for clinical care. Most respondents (76.5%) wanted formal training in AI, citing uncertainty about ethical considerations, data security, and best practices. Importantly, while social media presence influenced program visibility during virtual interviews, it had minimal effect on fellows’ final rank list decisions, underscoring a disconnect between exposure and decision-making.
Outcomes and Implications
This study highlights both opportunities and challenges in integrating digital technologies into gynecologic oncology training. Fellows are personally comfortable with social media yet hesitant to apply it professionally, suggesting the need for curricula that address responsible use, digital professionalism, and strategies for combating misinformation. The strong demand for AI education indicates that trainees recognize its potential but lack formal guidance. Incorporating AI training could prepare future oncologists to responsibly leverage tools for literature synthesis, research, and possibly patient care. At the bedside, structured training and curated patient-facing resources could improve health communication, reduce misinformation, and enhance patient engagement. For fellowship programs, investing in social media presence may improve visibility to applicants, while formalizing AI education may better equip the next generation of oncologists to practice in a technology-rich healthcare environment.