A Systematic Review of the Use of Smart Phones with Whatsapp Messaging and Practice Recommendations Within Curriculum Learning Activities in Undergraduate Nursing Programmes

Tayyib, N. A., Khedr, S., Fawzi, N., Eldin, E. E. & Lindsay, G. M.^*

College of Nursing Studies, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Lindsay, G. M., College of Nursing Studies, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Nursing Education; WhatsApp; M-Learning; Placements

Abstract

Background
WhatsApp Messenger is a popular and free messaging service providing instantaneous distribution and sharing of written, audio and video materials within a predefined group independent of location. This paper reviews the benefits and limitation of using these facilities of WhatsApp within undergraduate nursing education.
Method
The Google Scholar, Pubmed and CORE databases were searched for applications of WhatsApp Messenger in undergraduate nursing programmes. Search results were distilled down into ten articles using the PRISMA methodology.
Results
Three important benefits of WhatsApp and one limitation were identified. Student nurses appreciated how WhatsApp facilitated the instantaneous distribution and sharing of written, audio and video learning materials within a private learning group. They thought that WhatsApp benefited the social integration of their learning community and helped to reduce feelings of social alienation and professional isolation felt by some student nurses when on nursing placements. They also thought that WhatsApp helped to address various issues of professionalism and professional development. The availability of free access to a network capable of maintaining continuous connectivity was regarded as the primary limitation in the use of WhatsApp as an m-learning platform.

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).