Abstract: SA-PO184
WhatsApp in Nephrology Training
Session Information
- Educational Research
October 27, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 800 Educational Research
Authors
- Jhaveri, Kenar D., Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York, United States
- Hasan, Alia, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York, United States
- Fishbane, Steven, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, New York, United States
Background
We are living in an era of technology where smart phones and hence social media have entered into many aspects of our life. Novel educational means are necessary to transfer knowledge in the current era of digital learners. WhatsApp is one such application that is used by several individuals to communicate internationally. The role of this app is unknown in medical education and specifically in nephrology education.
Methods
To explore the potential of WhatsApp as an instructional strategy for nephrology fellows via asynchronous question/answer methodology. To evaluate the WhatsApp fellows educational venture, focus groups are planned with experienced qualitative researchers.
Results
All fellows in our training program-8, participated for a 6 month pilot period. 5 faculty were assigned to run the app. The faculty would ask 1-2 questions per week that were board style multiple style questions and responses were received from all 8 fellows for 90% of the questions, with explanations provided. The faculty would then provide the correct answer along with the detailed discussion and references. Dialogues and discussions would be sparked as a result of questions. There was 100% satisfaction of fellows participating in the project. The questions ranged from various topics from ESRD, acid base, AKI, glomerular diseases and transplantation. Two focus groups are being planned to better evaluate the use of the app as a pedagogical tool integrated into fellowship training. First focus group will involve the fellows and a second one will involve the faculty. Results are pending for the focus group component of the project.
Conclusion
WhatsApp is an effective social media tool to motivate, augment and perhaps improve the learning of nephrology fellows in training. Similar strategies should be evaluated in resident and medical student education of nephrology.