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Review
. 2024 Mar;54(3):400-406.
doi: 10.1007/s00247-023-05658-x. Epub 2023 Apr 22.

A pilot program evaluating WhatsApp as an interactive educational tool for pediatric radiology in Eastern Africa

Elizabeth A Rooks  1 , Joyce Nayiga  2 , Lee K Rousslang  3 , Jaren T Meldrum  4 , Kyle Ishikawa  5 , Kristen K DeStigter  6 , V J Rooks  3
Affiliations
Review

A pilot program evaluating WhatsApp as an interactive educational tool for pediatric radiology in Eastern Africa

Elizabeth A Rooks et al. Pediatr Radiol. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

The widespread use of WhatsApp as a communication tool makes it a candidate platform to facilitate the delivery of educational materials to radiology trainees in Eastern Africa. The aim of this pilot program is to assess the novel approach of using WhatsApp as a learning tool in pediatric radiology for residents in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. We recruited radiology residents to participate in a 3-month case-based pediatric radiology learning module that was delivered through WhatsApp to personal cell phones. Residents were presented with a multiple choice question once a week. Once they submitted their answer, the correct answer and explanations for each choice were provided. Questionnaires investigated comfort with reading pediatric radiology imaging, perception of the module content and convenience of the approach. Of the 72 participants, 40 (56%) responded to all 12 questions and both questionnaires, of whom 22 (55%) reported little to no comfort before the module and feeling very comfortable after. Confidence decreased with the number of incorrect answers. There was no correlation between the number of correct answers and the year level of the resident. Participants reported that the module was useful for learning pediatric radiology, found the material moderately difficult and found the application convenient for learning. Pediatric radiology educational content delivered over WhatsApp to residents in Eastern Africa is perceived as beneficial and convenient. This interactive learning platform provides opportunities for mentorship and enhanced learning of pediatric radiology.

Keywords: Africa, Eastern; Children; Education, Medical; Imaging; Interactive learning; Radiology; Residency; WhatsApp.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Example of a response provided by a participant. b Example of a clarifying question asked by a participant
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Number of correct answers compared to average confidence in answer
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Correlation between the year of residency training and number of correct answers (each circle represents an individual resident)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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