Social media for researchers – beyond cat videos, over sharing, and narcissism

Abstract

Social media has acquired a worldwide presence for increasing research dissemination.[1], [2] A recent study evaluating the social media strategy of the International Journal of Mental Health found that tweeting twice each day increased the reach and readership of the journal-published manuscripts.3 However, the value and role of social media in critical care nursing have received mixed reception. Love or hate it, social media is a powerful tool for researchers and clinicians providing opportunities to network, diffuse new information, and improve patient outcomes. In this editorial, the important social media platforms available to critical care nurses are discussed, the value of social media to critical care nursing researchers is explained, and how Australian Critical Care (ACC) readers can engage positively with social media are described.