Spine Surgeons Social Dilemma: Benefits and Risks of Social Media for Spine Surgery Practice in the 21st Century.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational.

Background: The use of social media by providers can enhance patient education, complement offline information, facilitate patient support, stimulate brand building, and strengthen the organization's market position. Risks of social media include, but are not limited to, a lack of quality, reliability, misrepresentation of credentials, influence of hidden and overt conflicts of interest, content that may jeopardize patient privacy, HIPAA regulations, and physicians' credentials and licensure.