Unlike most specialties, interventional radiology often isn’t discovered by medical students until their clinical years—and there isn’t a structured pathway for finding mentors, especially for students at institutions with no IR presence.
According to panelists at an SIR 2024 Compelling Conversation, social media has filled this void, offering a way for prospective and in-training IRs to reach out to others in the field for advice and mentorship.
“Social media is an ever evolving and moving target, and as a medical student I found it helpful for gaining visibility in the field,” said Gregg Khodorov, MD, MBA. “By posting and following the right hashtags, suddenly my feed was filled with people interested in the same things as me, and it expanded my mind and awareness.”
The early connections that Dr. Khodorov made on social media had lasting implications for his career trajectory, he said. “When applying for residency, I got an interview at a program that I believed was out of my range,” he said. “But when I looked at the faculty, one of the program directors was someone I had interacted with on Twitter before.”
However, due to the small size of IR, those who are active in IR communities on social media often find themselves overwhelmed at times with requests for mentorship—especially those from underrepresented minorities within medicine.
“Social media is amazing because you can share your experiences with such a wide audience,” said Ifechi Ukeh, MD. “But it can be difficult to create meaningful relationships when there are so many people reaching out.”
Unfortunately, it’s a long game—but there are ways for potential mentees to succeed.
Engage in the community
It’s hard to know where to start or how to get involved, but it can be as simple as asking questions, said Dr. Khodorov. You can begin by interacting with IRs on social media who you’d like to learn more from and who practice in an area you’d like to pursue. Try not to send an immediate cold message asking for mentorship; show an interest in them and their work. You want to engage with them and build a rapport, he said. A connection will rise from there.
“On social media, you have direct access to people who would otherwise be behind multiple walls. Use that access to engage in their content in an authentic and real way,” Dr. Khodorov said. Sometimes that means asking questions about content you don’t understand.
Some people refrain from asking questions because they don’t want to be thought of as dumb. Dr. Khodorov said you shouldn’t let that stop you—"people are willing to teach. If you see research or a device you’re curious about, respond or reach out and ask for further explanation.” This is an easy way of engaging authentically, he said.
Once you’ve shown consistent and genuine interest, take that newfound connection to the next level by sending a message that introduces yourself and explains what your goals are. “When emailing or messaging potential mentors, be direct,” said Sheridan Reed, MD. “Identify what you’re looking for, and what kind of mentorship relationship you’re seeking—is it for your career, your research, your education? Keep that in mind.”
It’s easy to repost or comment on other’s social media, but it’s difficult to directly ask for mentorship. According to Dr. Reed, you have to be up front in a crowded space.
Keep it professional
Following the right people and engaging in conversations is crucial—but it’s meaningless unless you’re putting your best foot forward.
“My twitter account is just dedicated to my career,” said Neil K. Jain, DO. “I don’t cross professional lines into personal life or opinions. It’s important to remember that you’re making these connections for your career, and everything is permanent on the internet.”
Make sure you’re being professional along the way, especially in the beginning when you’re building new connections. You don’t want unprofessional behavior to cost you a potential mentorship.
Having a professional account can work in your favor, especially if you’re a medical student cold emailing attendees or program directors. “Often, you won’t get feedback,” said Dr. Reed. “But if you’re reaching out to people you’ve connected with on social media, they will remember who you are by putting a name to the face.”
Make lasting relationships
People generally want to help, Dr. Khodorov said. “It feels good when people reach out and want to be mentored. A good mentorship relationship can be meaningful for both players,” he said. “But you have to work at it.” Neither party should be ghosting the other.
If you ask a question, follow up.
“If you get ghosted, ask again politely, but don’t nudge. Just be proactive, keep the dialogue active and continue to engage in any conversation that ensues,” said Dr. Khodorov. Even if it’s been a few months since the conversation, be sure to follow up if you have any updates or progress to share.
Ask to schedule meetings or calls and be sure to prepare some talking points so you can make the most of your time together. Ask for feedback and consider their opinions and knowledge.
“I love it when I have a conversation and then people ask if they can keep me updated,” Dr. Jain said. “That’s how you establish a bond and get people invested in your success.”
Future of online mentorship
“Whether we like it or not, social media is a platform that is going to continue to increase in usage for both community and education,” said Dr. Ifechi.
However, there is a need for a more science-focused platform that can enhance community and mentorship opportunities—and help members engage in niche discussions, away from patients.
“You have to remember that social media doesn’t have guard rails. It doesn’t have peer review,” said Bradford Johns Wood, MD, FSIR. “If it’s out there, it’s treated as true. So you end up seeing some crazy cases on social media, and that might inspire others to think they can take a similar approach or get similar results, which is concerning.”
There are ethical considerations, too, Dr. Khodorov said, such as posting patient imaging for career benefit and follower enjoyment.
The ideal platform would be quality driven, Dr. Wood said, and have structured pathways for finding mentorship. According to Dr. Wood, there are platforms in development geared specifically toward IRs and physicians, and several panelists from the Compelling Conversation have been working on a platform as well.
While social media—even on a curated platform—may not be everyone’s favorite use of time, the panelists did urge potential IRs to at least give it a chance to see what’s out there.
“Be honest about your reticence, but try to stay involved,” Dr. Sheridan said. And if all else fails, go your own path.
“There have and will always be people who are successful without utilizing social media,” Dr. Khodorov said. “But the landscape is changing so fast. Don’t write it off forever.”
