Comparative Effectiveness: Health Communication on the Internet, mHealth, and Social Media vs. Traditional Methods - A Nursing Student's Perspective (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Effective communication is integral to healthcare, especially for nursing students who represent the future of healthcare delivery. In the dynamic landscape of nursing education in Iraq, where challenges such as resource constraints and infrastructural limitations persist, understanding communication modalities becomes crucial. OBJECTIVE This mixed-methods study, conducted in two nursing colleges, explores and compares the effectiveness of health communication on the Internet, through mobile health (mHealth) applications, and via social media among nursing students. METHODS The research, addressing a gap in understanding communication modalities specific to Iraq, employs a nuanced approach to explore the perspectives, experiences, and challenges faced by nursing students. The study involves qualitative interviews with a purposive sample (n=30) and a structured survey distributed to a larger sample (n=300) representing diverse educational programs. RESULTS Qualitative findings highlight nursing students' reliance on the Internet for educational materials and the significant role of mHealth applications in clinical skill development. Social media platforms emerge as community-building tools. Traditional methods, including face-to-face interactions and practical experiences, are valued for developing essential skills. Quantitative results underscore high-frequency Internet use (92%) for educational purposes, regular mHealth application usage (68%) in clinical settings, and active engagement on social media platforms (80%). Face-to-face interactions (72%) and practical, hands-on experiences (85%) remain preferred traditional methods. The study reveals a preference among nursing students for an integrated approach, recognizing the complementary strengths of traditional and digital methods. Challenges include concerns about information accuracy and ethical considerations in digital spaces. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest the need for curriculum adjustments that seamlessly integrate diverse communication modalities to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Educators play a pivotal role in shaping this integration, emphasizing the enduring value of face-to-face interactions and practical experiences while harnessing the benefits of digital resources. Ethical considerations in the digital realm are acknowledged, highlighting the need for clear guidelines on professional behavior online. The study expands the understanding of communication modalities among nursing students in Iraq and provides valuable insights for stakeholders in healthcare education. The findings contribute to the global discourse on healthcare communication and education, emphasizing the importance of preparing nursing students for the evolving healthcare landscape through a balanced and integrated approach.