WhatsApp application as a learning tool in medical teaching

Abstract

Introduction: The role of the tutor in virtual medical education seems to be that of a transmitter of knowledge to a facilitator of learning. WhatsApp application is one of the resources that is used for this purpose.

Objective: Describe the results of the use of WhatsApp application for computers as a tool for educational interaction in the Anesthesiology Service of "Manuel Ascunce Domenech" University Hospital.

Methods: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study to determine the usefulness of WhatsApp, as a communication tool between the tutor and a group of students of the Specialty of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, from June 2020 to June 2021. The population was of 40 students and the sample was of 15, who met the inclusion criteria. Weekly teaching communication was carried out or at the request of the student, without a fixed schedule, through WhatsApp. A questionnaire based on the objectives of the research was applied after one year.

Results: All students were under 30 years of age, but the ages between 23-26 years (60%) predominated, the female sex represented 66.66% of the participants, 73.33% established a connection through a smartphone, the main advantages referred to were: immediacy (93.33%), the link with the tutor and physical distancing (86.66%), and privacy (80%). The main disadvantages were: high cost of connectivity (100%), small screen to read (46.66%), inappropriate hours (40%). The majority reported a high degree of satisfaction (86.66%).

Conclusions: The use of WhatsApp offers multiple advantages for the relationship between the tutor and the students, and promotes a successful outcome in the learning process.

Keywords: Anesthesiology; learning; medical education.