New Media Use for Learning and Knowledge Sharing in Healthcare Academia

Abstract

Medical learning is vast and it deals with several concepts that are difficult to master.With changing times, the method of learning and sharing of knowledge has taken a leap from textbooks and conventional classroom teaching to internet based interactions through online platforms, videos, online discussion forums, online courses, social networking sites, etc. This is not only a further enhancement to the traditional classroom knowledge sharing but also in accordance with the "Media Richness Theory”. As the discussion taking place in the new media is interactive and information rich, this makes the information in the new media richer than class lectures.  However, there is little-reported data in this area of teaching and learning in healthcare academia. The purpose of this study was to assess new media use for learning and knowledge sharing by healthcare academia. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among the 243 students in healthcare institutes in the city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack with the use of a self-explanatory questionnaire. Our study found a general lack of overwhelming use of new media in the health academia. However, the majority of the students felt that it will be beneficial and there is a need to maximise its use.