[Use of Twitter(®) in a congress: First experience for French internal medicine]

Abstract

Introduction: Twitter(®) is a social "microblogging" network in which users can send and receive updates of up to 140 characters. Nowadays its use in medicine has become common in the United Kingdom and in the USA, particularly in scientific meetings where attendees tweet relevant information from the various lectures. Then, the tweeted information is relayed by followers who may be present or not at the lectures.

Results: Using Twitter(®) on the 70th Congress of French Society of Internal Medicine with @MielLorraine and @secretaireMIEL accounts was the first time in internal medicine in France. In total, 825 tweets were posted by both accounts and 59% were original. The two accounts were followed by respectively 12 and 10 followers. People outside the congress were able to get information and to start discussion on many topics.

Conclusion: This experience emphasizes the fact that Twitter(®) improves interactions during congresses. Therefore, we should continue on a going forward basis to develop this tool.

Keywords: Congrès; Internal medicine; Médecine interne; Réseaux sociaux; Scientific meetings; Social media; Twitter(MD); Twitter(®).