Social media in rheumatology: a powerful tool for continuous learning, professional engagement, and community outreach

A few years ago, I joined Twitter (now X) without any clear plan. Like many, I thought it was mostly for news, celebrities, or politics. At the time, few clinicians saw it as a space for professional growth. But gradually, it became one of the most valuable tools in my training as a rheumatologist. Today, I see it not just as social media, but as a classroom without walls.

On my X handle @Rheumat_Aravind, I began by posting short threads on topics I was studying for exams. Some of my early viral posts on ANA, Nails in Rheumatology, CRP vs Procalcitonin, and other topics reached far beyond my immediate circle. Senior colleagues shared them, discussed them internationally, and even served as concise revision material for trainees. That was when I realised the true power of social media in medical education. In a way, every post became a mini journal club-an opportunity for dialogue, critique, and shared learning across borders.

Why should clinicians care about social media?

Because it enables real-time learning, conference highlights, trial results, and journal updates appear on X within hours. During meetings like EULAR or ACR, following hashtags can feel like sitting in the front row, even from thousands of miles away. Visual abstracts and infographics also make complex science easy to digest on the go.

Social media also reaches the wider community. Posts on early arthritis, osteoporosis prevention, or safe use of biologics often travel beyond medical circles. A short Instagram reel or infographic can raise more awareness than a clinic leaflet. This outreach can make a real difference in a country where late presentations are common.

Other platforms complement this ecosystem. LinkedIn enables deeper networking and collaborations, Facebook hosts closed professional groups for case discussions, YouTube provides excellent educational videos, and newer networks like Bluesky and Threads are beginning to attract medical voices.

How can a clinician get started?

Here are some tips,

• Follow wisely – journals, societies (IRA, ACR, EULAR), and a few active educators.
• Use hashtags like #RheumTwitter or #MedTwitter to join global conversations.
• Explore LinkedIn – for networking, longer reflections, and collaborations.
• Keep it professional. Posts should be evidence-based, protected by confidentiality, respectful, and avoid casual medical advice.
• Be consistent – even one valuable post a week can build your voice.
• Maintaining clear boundaries is essential. This includes limiting time spent online, focusing on professional content, and avoiding any breach of patient confidentiality.

Of course, there are pitfalls. Social media can disseminate misinformation as quickly as accurate knowledge, potentially leading to real-world consequences, so it is our responsibility to verify content before sharing. And while social media is a powerful tool for learning, networking, and professional engagement, it will never replace textbooks or bedside clinical experience.

For me, social media has become more than a tool – it is a community, a classroom, and a stage. Used thoughtfully, it can do the same for every clinician.