Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of social media on doctor preference in rhinoplasty patients.

METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out on patients who came with the desire to have rhinoplasty between January 1, 2022, and October 31, 2022, in the clinic of a surgeon experienced in rhinoplasty and actively using social media. A questionnaire was applied to the patients to evaluate the doctor preference. The patients were asked how they discovered the physician and presented with four options: “social media-internet,” “social environment-advice,” “I am a former patient,” or “another physician referred me.”

RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen patients (145 females, 71 males; mean age: 32.9 years; range, 14 to 76 years) were included in the study. Of the patients, 23.1%, 62.5%, 4.6%, and 9.7% chose social media-internet, social environment-recommendation, I am a former patient, and another physician referred me, respectively. Statistically, it was seen that the effect of social environment on doctor preferences was significantly higher than the others (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: The social environment is more effective in the physician preference of rhinoplasty patients than other factors. Instead of relying completely on social media, employing an aggressive advertising approach, and putting patients into unrealistic expectations, time should be provided to the previously operated patients for them to express their satisfaction to their acquaintances.