Social media casestudy: Virtual International Day of the Midwife

THE VIRTUAL

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE MIDWIFE. USING

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PROFESSIONAL

NETWORKING AND LEARNING

Sarah Stewartsarahstewart07@gmail.com

Aim of this session:

• Tell you about the VIDM• Explain some of the findings from the 2012

VIDM evaluation• Reflect on some of the lessons we have

learned about social media, communities of practice, professional networking & learning

Beginnings

What is the VIDM?

Aims

Provide access to latest research & practice innovations

Provide opportunities for networking Break down traditional barriers to PDModel informal, life-long learning practicesModel “open” communication & collaboration

practices eg OERIncrease digital literacy & capability

Wiki - advertising, informing, coordination, collaboration, artefacts

http://internationaldayofthemidwife.wikispaces.com

Facebook – advertising, marketing, networking, discussion, answer questions

http://www.facebook.com/VirtualInternationalDayoftheMidwife

Twitter – advertising, marketing, networking, discussion, answer questions

https://twitter.com/#!/VIDofM

Google Docs – feedback survey, tracking, collaboration

http://tiny.cc/o70rew

2012 VIDM Evaluation

99 responses – 84 attended, 15 did notMajority of respondents were students or

clinical midwivesMost common age 30-39, & 50-59Majority of people came from USA, UK,

AustraliaAlso had attendees from Bermuda, Canada,

Brazil Cyprus, Denmark, Ethiopia, Kenya, Slovenia, Netherlands, Jordan, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Peru, Portugal and Slovenia

Majority people heard about VIDM from Facebook (63%), followed by email (31%)

Most people found technology very easy, or easy to use – only a couple of people found it difficult to use

Most people accessed VIDM at home – no one did in a clinical facility

Most people used lap top or PC

Attendees rated VIDM 2012 very good or good – 2 rated it poor

People wanted news about VIDM 2013 via Facebook or email

Main reason people didn't attend was because they were working

What did people like?

A sense of belonging to an international community

Opportunity to learn for free, in easily accessible and flexible environment

Being able to access eminent speakers

What could be improved?

Quality of presentationsImproved information about the event on the

wiki websiteBigger room – more seats

What do you need to be able to attend?

TimeMotivationAdequate technology Confidence and digital competenceBetter information about how to attendMore information about the event beforehand

What we are seeing

Main steam midwifery doesn't get it, but midwifery & consumers activists do

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7158112@N04/3042853630

Digital literacy is a barrier

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/3796822070

Health organisations need a lot of support to help them see value of initiatives like this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32323502@N00/428401602

Community of practice is evolving

Greater networking between midwives & consumers....and others who are passionate about life-long learning

Increasing digital capability

Midwives (& others) are utilising their digital literacy learnings in an ongoing way in their professional lives

http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=688

Where to from here?

How do we reach resource-poor countries?

Research. What is the impact of this approach to PD on learning, & ultimately clinical outcomes?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26667277@N00/311398700

Integrate with midwifery organisations?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76413978@N08/6873616254

Become more interactive,

beyond the 5th May

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28859335@N00/120018144

Go mobile!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83542829@N00/2431704208

Sarah Stewart

sarahstewart07@gmail.comHttp://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com@SarahStewarthttp://www.facebook.com/sarahmstewarthttp://www.slideshare.net/sarahs