Navigating Crowdsourced Information Platforms such as SDN, Reddit, & CycleTrack

Crowdsourcing: "the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people and especially from the online community rather than from traditional employees or suppliers"

- Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The question regarding whether to utilize crowdsourced sites is an important one. For premeds, medical students, trainees, and physicians, sites such as Student Doctor Network (SDN), Reddit (with its numerous subreddits), and CycleTrack (for premeds), have many benefits: fostering a sense of community, providing timely information, and, in some cases, yielding answers not otherwise available to users. However, it is important to weigh these benefits with potential limitations and pitfalls of crowdsourced information. For example, it is important to ascertain if crowdsourced site users that are providing responses to queries on specific sites are both trustworthy and knowledgeable. During a time when AI provides "answers" as soon as a question is posed, how many times do we wonder if we can trust the source? Also, do we always know who or what is the actual source of the information provided?

For example, can we rely on answers given by site members to questions such as those on the following list found on platforms such as SDN and Reddit/Subreddits?

• "How is XYZ college for premeds?" "Does the school have grade inflation/deflation?" "How is their premed advising?"

• "What medical schools should I apply to based upon my stats?"

• "Does anyone attend XYZ medical school?" "Can you share your experiences?"

• "When and how should I begin preparing for interviews for medical school (or residency)?"

• "Has anyone received secondaries or interviews from XYZ medical school yet?"

• "I have a 3.6 GPA, a 513 MCAT, scored a 7 on PREview, and have 200 clinical hours, 50 shadowing hours, 160 hours serving in various leadership roles, 150 research hours (but no publications). How competitive of an applicant am I for medical/PA school?"

• "Any recommendations on LoR/SLoE number/selection for EM/ObGyn/etc.?"

• "I would like to apply for orthopedic surgery. I have a COMLEX 2CE score of 530 and Step 2CK score of 242. What are the criteria that will be considered for residency matching and do you think I can match?"

The answer to the above question is maybe, depending upon the specific answers provided by the site member and their individual knowledge base, honesty, accuracy, and transparency.

Perhaps the greater question to consider then, is whether there is utility in crowdsourcing. Among the diverse sources available, crowdsourced platforms like SDN, Reddit, and CycleTrack stand out for being of use for premeds, medical students, and trainees. These platforms allow users to share knowledge and insights, empowering individuals to make potentially more informed decisions. However, while they offer several advantages, they also can come with some notable drawbacks. The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of crowdsourcing, hopefully allowing readers themselves to consider how best to critically appraise crowdsourced information.

The Advantages of Crowdsourced Information

Democratization of Information

Crowdsourced platforms open the doors to knowledge for everyone. Traditional sources like academic journals often restrict access through paywalls or gatekeeping. For example, on Reddit, any user can initiate discussions, ask questions, and share their experiences. This inclusive approach not only enriches the content available but also introduces diverse viewpoints and topics.

Real-Time Updates

The ability to receive updates in a timely fashion can be very helpful and also sometimes reassuring when awaiting specific information or decisions.

Community Engagement

Crowdsourced platforms can nurture a sense of belonging and community. On Reddit, users participating in specialized groups known as subreddits have the opportunity to connect with like-minded people. Users often provide support, resources, and encouragement within these communities. This engagement can motivate more users to contribute valuable content, enhancing the overall depth and quality of the platform.

Diverse Perspectives

Crowdsourced platforms encourage a mix of voices. For example, an individual user might suggest an innovative workaround to a complex issue or provide a new perspective, leading to a creative solution. Collaborative problem-solving can be a definite benefit.

The Drawbacks of Crowdsourced Information

Misinformation and Questionable Reliability

Of note, while crowdsourcing can open up the conversation, it can also pose risks. The ease with which anyone can contribute means that misleading information can spread quickly. Disgruntled students, for example, may be more vocal and likely to post issues or perceived slights online compared to their satisfied peers. As such, users must critically evaluate information and verify it through reliable sources.

Information Overload

With the abundance of content available on platforms like Reddit and SDN, users can feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume. For instance, a user browsing a subreddit could be faced with hundreds of comments on a single question. This fragmentation can make it hard to find useful insights and may deter people from participating in discussions altogether. Additionally, contradicting information may lead to confusion.

Lack of Expertise

The democratization of information, while beneficial, can also mean that users may encounter low-quality or inaccurate content. Some individuals may share opinions or advice without the appropriate knowledge base to do so. Users should be cautious and seek guidance from experienced professionals or established sources whenever possible.

Limited "N"

In some cases, information may be provided by a limited number of site members participating in crowdsourcing, as can be the case with platforms like CycleTrack. In such instances, data points may be missing or not representative of the majority of applicants. It is important to review data and information provided to best ascertain whether the information obtained has been culled from a large enough population to make the appropriate assumptions.

Navigating Crowdsourced Platforms Wisely

The field of medicine, based upon the tenet of utilizing evidenced-based medicine in practice, requires critical appraisal of the literature and the use of crowdsourcing is no exception. Crowdsourced information platforms like SDN, Reddit, and CycleTrack can serve as powerful tools. They provide unique insights, diverse perspectives, and real-time updates for those specifically within medical education that can supplement official sources such as the AAMC (e.g. AMCAS, ERAS), AACOM (e.g. AACOMAS), other application sites (e.g. TMDSAS, CentralApp/ResidencyCAS), match platforms (e.g. NRMP, SF Match, AUA, Military Match) and medical school and residency program websites. However, it is important to take care to avoid misinformation through always maintaining a critical mindset. By combining user-generated content with careful verification from trusted sources, users can ensure a richer, more accurate understanding. Crowdsourced information can be an incredible asset, but like any tool, it should be utilized thoughtfully.

Wishing you the best in your medical journey,

Sincerely,

Rupal Vora, M.D., MPH, FACP

Founder MedicalStudentCoach LLC

Associate Clinical Professor, Creighton University School of Medicine

(Prior ATSU-SOMA Assistant Dean of Student Achievement Success)