Examining the Changing Public Perception of Online Medical Education Through Social Media Analysis

• In Event: Virtual Education: Insights and Innovative Approaches in Online Learning

Abstract

The study examines how the perception of online medical education on social media has changed over a six-year period, including the time before and after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Twitter data was analyzed using topic modeling to identify latent topics, and sentiment and longitudinal cluster analyses were conducted to understand public perspectives. The analyses revealed four themes with different patterns of change over time. The results shed light on unique challenges and needs that emerged with the shift to online medical education during the pandemic, along with positive efforts aimed at supporting individuals through social and emotional support. These insights are valuable for improving the accessibility, practicality, and adaptability of online medical education.

Authors

• Henry Moon, Augusta University

• Seungman Kim, Texas Tech University

• Jaehoon Lee, Texas Tech University

• Hyunjin Shim, Texas Tech University