Being a medical student can be isolating, lonely and outright confusing. However, once you figure out where your interest lies, it can be beneficial to find a group of like-minded individuals with similar passions to build a community.

Medical education has grown exponentially during the social media era. A systematic review found social media effective because it increased communication between learners and educators; one study showed that it improved objective knowledge in medical student assessment scores.

The ACC Medical Student Social Media Ambassadors are a group of medical students from across the globe who engage other medical students on the topic and profession of cardiology via Twitter. With participants from Greece to Turkey to Peru, this diverse group has the unique opportunity to share medical education experiences. Since every medical student is busy completing their coursework, participating in campus clubs, working on research and finding time to enjoy their hobbies, this group provides a different outlet of creativity and inspiration.

Prior to assuming the role of social media ambassador, several members had been using social media to access resources and event announcements, yet few were sharing content themselves. Inclusion in this group has inspired medical students to engage with the platform in a new way. It is often less intimidating to dive into something new when there is a supportive group to help you through the process.

Creating and sharing original content is empowering and initially requires stepping out of one's comfort zone, which is something that must routinely be done in medicine. Like the saying goes, "you must become comfortable with the uncomfortable." Starting the process as a social media ambassador was beneficial before starting clinical rotations. Developing one's Twitter presence can be a useful way to connect with new students and physicians from rotations. It is also a more accessible way to keep up with attendings and peers.

Sharing medical education such as journal clubs, webinars, and interest group discussions via social media opens the doors to students around the world and globalizes the sharing of medical education.

Follow the ACC Medical Student Social Media Ambassadors' conversations on Twitter with #ACCMedStudents.

This article was authored by Diane Masket, MS, BS, a medical student at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ.

Twitter: @DianeMasket