The use of mobile messaging‐based case studies in a pharmacotherapy introduction class in China. (25th March 2018) - Wang, X.
Abstract: This study is to examine the attitudes of students towards the case studies based on mobile messaging in a pharmacotherapy introduction class. Case studies were divided into 4 groups, with 30 pharmacy students each group. Each group was required to share pharmaceutical care plans on WeChat by posting messages. A post‐activity survey was conducted: Over 70% of the students agreed that mobile messaging‐based case studies (MMBC) helped developing skills and knowledge and stimulating additional research and readings. Over 60% of the students felt that MMBC helped understanding others' viewpoints and sharing their experience and knowledge. More than half of the students agreed that MMBC was more convenient than traditional and internet‐based case study. Less than 30% of the students agreed that the interaction with other students was good. The findings reflect the MMBC studies' popularity with students. Recommendations to use MMBC studies include (a) balance the merits, such as expressing opinions clearly and concisely, allowing for collaborative learning, with the drawbacks: distraction and the low quality of interactions; (b) use small groups for case discussion; (c) design a collaborative schedule dividing the discussion into different sections. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: WeChat is a kind of mobile messaging‐based application (MMA) with which smartphone users can send text and other types of media messages to others. Some research have focused on the application of MMA in medical area. Only a few studies started to explore the pedagogical value of MMA. What this paper adds: Fill the research gap in studying the implementation of MMA in case study in higher medical education. Mobile messaging‐based case studies (MMBC) help students developing skills and knowledge, stimulating additional research and readings, and are more convenient than traditional and internet‐based case study. The interaction with other students was not good enough through MMBC. Implications for practice and/or policy: Recommendations to use MMBC include balancing the potential merits with potential drawbacks. Lectures planning to use MMBC should design an orderly learning process.