Abstract CN42
Background
Finding time and space to explore and disseminate the latest advances in nursing and cancer care, patient supports and promotion of self-care for nurses working in an acute oncology/haematology setting was proving challenging prior to the pandemic and became essential during the pandemic. A nurse education WhatsApp group was created in October 2019 to ascertain if this mode of social media would be acceptable and of benefit as a communication tool in addressing some of these challenges. All registered nurses irrespective of experience were invited to join. A diverse selection of information was uploaded twice weekly mainly by the nurse oncology education coordinator. Participation was voluntary. Members were asked to use the group solely for education purposes.
Methods
Data on the impact of the WhatsApp group was collected anonymously from November 2020 to May 2022 using a web based survey containing ten questions to collect both quantitative and qualitative data.
Results
With a 54% response rate, 100% of respondents believed this mode of social media was an acceptable tool. 73% believed it an effective tool, 27% found it somewhat effective. 98% believed it had informed their practice. Suggestions were made by respondents to further enhance the effectiveness of this tool including themes to disseminate information. Examples of nurses’ experience of having this WhatsApp group facilitated during the Covid 19 pandemic included “great resource during covid. It was an easy means of keeping updated in practice when time constraints reduced my ability to source my own literature to read”… “highlighted the need for self care”… “gave me confidence in my knowledge”… “was helpful and practical, you can feel the support”… “I really like how it brings the learning community into one space with all grades of staff”… “lost without it” …“I love that there is only education in it. I often look back at articles”.
Conclusions
The results of this survey suggest the use of WhatsApp as an educational tool to communicate information on a diverse variety of topics can be an effective and positive experience in providing educational and emotional support to oncology nurses during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
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