Study Explores Impact of Instagram® on Dental Students and Professionals

A recent cross-sectional study delved into the effects of Instagram® on the lives of dental students and professionals, shedding light on its impact on their learning and professional performance.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers aimed to investigate how Instagram® influences the lives of dental students and professionals and its implications for their learning and professional endeavours.

Instagram Usage Questionnaire

To assess the influence of Instagram®, the researchers employed a 24-item copyrighted and validated questionnaire called the InstaAA© questionnaire. The survey was designed to gauge the extent of Instagram® usage, its impact on mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and attitudes toward the platform. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: sociodemographic information, Instagram® use, and attitudes regarding Instagram®. Participants were recruited using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling techniques.

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Key Findings

The study included a total of 461 participants, comprising 155 (33.6%) men and 306 (66.4%) women, with an average age of 23.13 ± 4.95 years. Notably, 119 (25.8%) of the participants were dental interns. The study found that a significant portion of participants (36.2%) reported spending between 30 minutes and 1 hour on Instagram® daily. Additionally, more than half (52.5%) acknowledged that Instagram® influenced their dressing, behaviour, and use of other social media platforms.

Furthermore, over half of the respondents (52.1%) reported experiencing common distractions while performing important tasks, and 40.6% indicated negative effects on their mental and emotional well-being due to Instagram® use.

Conclusion

The study’s findings highlight the substantial influence of Instagram® on the lives of dental professionals and students. It underscores the importance of striking a balance between social media use and academic and personal responsibilities. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for education and awareness regarding Instagram® features and potential consequences among dental professionals and students.

This research offers valuable insights into the impact of social media platforms like Instagram® on various professional communities, shedding light on the evolving role of digital platforms in shaping individuals’ lives and behaviour.