The purpose of this study was to analyze the content, interaction, and use of posts related to women surgeons on Instagram and Twitter, with specific analysis of female orthopedic surgeon related content.

A retrospective search of Instagram and Twitter from March 14, 2022, to June 16, 2022 was conducted using the hashtags, #womeninortho, #womeninorthopedics, #ilooklikeasurgeon, #womensurgeons, and #womeninsurgery. Additional searches were performed on Twitter that consisted of #orthotwitter in combination with #ilooklikeasurgeon, #womensurgeons, and #womeninsurgery. Once identified, posts were analyzed for the hashtag used, number of likes, number of comments, number of retweets (Twitter only), source type, type of post, and medical specialty. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Over the 3-month period, a total of 3248 posts were identified that included 1669 Instagram (50.5%) and 1639 Twitter (49.6%) posts. The majority of overall posts and Instagram posts were made by general (32.3%, 28.9%), plastic (12.7%, 22.1%), and orthopedic surgeons (8.3%, 7.8%). On Twitter, general surgeons tweeted the most (35.6%), followed by orthopaedic surgeons (8.8%). Instagram had a greater mean number of and comments per post than Twitter. For orthopedic hashtags, #womeninortho was used more than #womeninorthopedics (78.0% vs. 22.0%, p < 0.001). On #orthotwitter, #ilooklikeasurgeon was used more than #womeninsurgery and #womensurgeons (75.0% vs. 23.6% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001).

This study demonstrated that both Instagram and Twitter are regularly used to promote women surgeons. Instagram is the preferred platform of physicians for promoting women surgeons via personal and outcome-based content, while Twitter is used more by students and primarily includes outcome-based posts. Female orthopedic surgeons should continue to use the preferred hashtag, #womeninortho, to maximize the reach of this content. By promoting women surgeons on social media, practicing surgeons can converse, collaborate, and provide mentorship to the next generation of surgeons.