It is ironic that during this time of physical distancing, we are no longer restricted by geographic distances.
While social media has often been accused of stealing time from our loved ones, we are now fully realizing its potential as a tool to develop meaningful relationships. The use of social media as a means to bridge physical distance and keep us connected is certainly one of the silver linings of this pandemic.
Over the past few months, our weekly workout sessions have helped alleviate the stress and anxiety we medical students have been experiencing since our training was interrupted by COVID-19. More importantly though, the “hangouts” have helped us rejoice in each other’s company and have served as a reminder of the power of social media if harnessed correctly. A couple of months in, our hangouts have grown to include friends from different cities in addition to our parents and siblings.
Self-isolation has highlighted significant ways social media has made a positive difference that can be summed up by what we have called the five Cs: collegiality, creativity, compassion, connectivity and commitment.
Collegiality:
Shifting to a virtual curriculum has facilitated a collegial environment. Services like zoom enabled medical students to collaborate in seminars, workshops and modules led by our own preceptors currently fighting on the frontline. Although this did not completely replace our clinical teaching, virtual learning transcended physical boundaries and helped us further develop our clinical skill set. As we transition out of isolation, online resources will help remodel learning beyond the walls of a classroom and offer students the flexibility and convenience of building sustainable collegial networks that are no longer limited by physical distance.
Creativity:
Outside the virtual classroom, many of us have chosen to use this newfound time to learn new skills such as knitting, dance or even becoming home chefs. With the help of social media, we have found safe ways to rekindle our hobbies, regardless of distance, to re-connect and make meaningful memories. For medical students soon to resume their clinical duties, channeling our creativity will empower us to move away from an algorithmic to a more personalized approach when caring for patients.
Companionship:
This quarantine has empowered us to find security and comfort in our social networks. In the medical profession, there is constant stress and pressure to perform at the highest level and to prioritize the health of others over our own. However, this pandemic has compelled us to focus on ourselves. With measures like physical distancing, many of us have used videoconferencing to connect with family worldwide. Sustaining these virtual relationships will be crucial in helping us stay resilient after COVID-19.
Connectivity:
Social media has been instrumental in connecting medical students across the country and they have leveraged media like Instagram and Twitter to learn about relief programs and have found safe ways to contribute. Our potential to fight together in times of dire need should be harnessed to address global issues such as climate change that will continue to exist after the pandemic.
Commitment:
Change is inevitable. Once we get through this, there will be a new norm to which we all will need to commit. Returning to hospitals or other work in healthcare will be difficult, both mentally and physically. However, support from our virtual networks and using social media to stay informed about changes in our work environments will make the transition easier. Leaving behind what we are used to is stressful but the key will be to commit to moving on and realize that coming to terms with this change will be a gradual process.
This time of virtual bonding has been a time of discoveries – of differences but also of finding common ground that we never knew existed. We are learning how to cope in this new reality at the same as our teachers and mentors. And while there are downsides to social media, it can be used to embrace our support systems and stay connected.
And when we do, we can implement these five Cs to make the transition manageable. Let’s make every effort to continue redefining ourselves, valuing our social networks, and sustaining the meaningful virtual connections that we have formed. Certainly, as we now understand, physical distance does not always have to be a limiting factor.
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I love the glass half full approach you have!
My disagreement with you is that physical distancing makes everything a little worse not a little better.