Using Slack to communicate with medical students

Abstract

Academic libraries often make use of social networks like Facebook and Twitter to connect with their student users. While the Spokane Academic Library at Washington State University also employs this outreach strategy, the health sciences librarian was able to use a new type of social network called Slack to communicate more directly with the inaugural class of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. As a digital workspace for communication and collaboration, Slack provided the medical librarian with an effective medium through which to post library announcements and updates, as well as have individual conversations with students about library-related questions and concerns.

Virtual Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In the COVID-19 era the need for innovative solutions to optimize educational endeavors has accelerated. Many programs have sought to improvise with new technologies such as Zoom (Zoom, San Jose, California) and Slack (Slack Technologies, San Francisco, CA) (9).…”

Thinking Outside the Inbox: Use of Slack in Clinical Groups as a Collaborative Team Communication Platform

“…One of the most popular ESNs is Slack, a cloud‐based digital workspace and information management system that allows multiple users to collaborate on group projects in real time 4 . Slack is modeled on the familiar instant messaging structure that allows for a more natural back‐and‐forth interaction when compared to e‐mail 17 . Integrated voice or video calls within Slack also allow users to conference and share screens in real time.…”

“…Slack has been successfully used by many collaborative groups in a variety of settings, including undergraduate medical education, 17 graduate medical education, 18 course communication, 19 conference discussions, 20 clinician wellness 21 and coordination of institutional research 22 . In one survey of users conducted by Slack, 32% of respondents agreed that Slack increased team productivity, with a decrease in team meetings by over 25% and intranetwork e‐mails by over 48% 23 .…”

“…4 Slack is modeled on the familiar instant messaging structure that allows for a more natural back-and-forth interaction when compared to e-mail. 17 Integrated voice or video calls within Slack also allow users to conference and share screens in real time. Conversations between members typically occur in channels that can be organized by topic, project, team, or interest.…”

“…Libraries communicate directly with medical students using Slack. 17 Buy-in may be variable, and some students may opt to disengage. These students then will be left out from further communications within the institution.…”