The Societal Impact of the Papers Published in Blended Learning in Medicine on Social Network Sites: An Altmetrics Study

Shohreh  SeyyedHosseini; Mohammadreza  Yazdankhahfard; Maryam   Azargoon; Reza BasirianJahromi

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i9.16465

Shohreh SeyyedHosseini Deapartment of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Paramedicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bu-shehr, Iran
Mohammadreza Yazdankhahfard Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
Maryam Azargoon Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Reza BasirianJahromi Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Paramedicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i9.16465

Keywords: Scientific productivity; Social networks; Blended learning; Mendeley; X (formerly Twitter)

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, blended learning in medicine (BLM) has gained the attention of most experts as an invaluable approach to improving the quality of medical education. The level of attention to articles in this field on social networks is substantial. This study aimed to study the effectiveness of published articles in blended learning, indexed in Scopus and Web of Science databases between 2013 and 2022, from an altmetrics perspective.

Methods: The research is descriptive-analytical, with a scientometrics approach (using the Altmetrics index). The population includes all the articles on blended learning in medicine, indexed in Scopus and Web of Science databases, two well-known citation databases worldwide. Data were extracted using the Altmetrics bookmarklet tool and analyzed with descriptive statistics methods in Excel software.

Results: Out of 1327 articles, 136 articles (10.25%) did not have a digital object identifier (DOI) or PMID number. Mendeley, X (previously Twitter), and Dimensions were the most widely used social networks in blended learning. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia had the highest number of tweets in blended learning in medicine.

Conclusion: The number of articles with altmetrics indicators, categorized by publication year, demonstrates an improvement in the familiarity and use of social media by blended learning researchers in medicine. Blended learning researchers are advised to carefully select reputable journals - preferably with DOI - to increase the visibility and attention to their articles on social media.