Effects of a Workplace mHealth Intervention for Smoking Behaviour: A Quasi Experimental Study Protocol

@#Introduction: Tobacco smoking causes various chronic diseases and adds costs to healthcare systems. The current smoking cessation interventions mostly target smokers who are ready to quit and are reactive in recruitment. Recently, mobile phones have become a new tool for promoting smoking cessation. The aim of this paper is to present a study protocol on a quasi-experimental study investigating the effects of a workplace mHealth intervention for smoking behaviour. Methods: A quasi-experimental study will be conducted among employees in an academic institution in Malaysia. The intervention group will receive a theory based WhaSTOP module via WhatsApp and will be compared with the control group (receive usual care). The primary outcomes are stage movement and the number of cigarettes per day. The secondary outcomes include knowledge of smoking, quit attempt, nicotine dependence, 7-day point prevalence of smoking abstinence, and the Transtheoretical Model constructs. A generalised estimating equation analysis will be performed to determine the effects of the intervention. Discussion: This protocol will provide a novel method to proactively approach smokers regardless of readiness to quit and to guide them through the stages of change so that they will be ready to take action to quit. This research will also provide insight into whether the intervention can be utilised as an additional tool for smokers at the workplace to quit smoking. Trial Registration: The trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registry Number IRCT20220415054539N1).

Ministérios no WhatsApp: gênero, sensorialidades e transformações ético-políticas no cotidiano de mulheres evangélicas / Ministerios en WhatsApp: género, sensorialidades y transformaciones ético-políticas en el cotidiano de mujeres evangélicas / Ministries on WhatsApp: gender, sensorialities and ethical-political transformations in the everyday life of evangelical women

Resumo Diferentes análises sobre a participação política de evangélicas(os) pentecostais no Brasil nos últimos anos têm chamado a atenção para transformações causadas pelos usos de mídias digitais por estes grupos. Em busca de ampliar este debate a partir de elementos que compõem usos cotidianos de grupos de oração no WhatsApp, o objetivo deste artigo é compreender como as disputas engajadas por mulheres pentecostais têm ressignificado suas carreiras pastorais e formado novas coletividades evangélicas. Com a emergência de outros modos de viver as intimidades propiciadas por dispositivos móveis, reflito sobre relações religiosas estabelecidas através de imagens e sons em grupos de WhatsApp, além dos impactos digitais nas dinâmicas de autoridade religiosa feminina e sua expansão transnacional.

Resumen Diferentes análisis sobre la participación política de los evangélicos pentecostales en Brasil en los últimos años han llamado la atención sobre las transformaciones provocadas por el uso de medios digitales por parte de estos grupos. Buscando ampliar este debate a partir de elementos que componen el uso cotidiano de los grupos de oración en WhatsApp, busqué comprender cómo las disputas libradas por las mujeres pentecostales han resignificado sus carreras pastorales y conformado nuevas colectividades evangélicas. Con el surgimiento de otras formas de experimentar las intimidades que brindan los dispositivos móviles, reflexiono sobre las relaciones religiosas que se establecen a través de imágenes y sonidos en los grupos de WhatsApp, además del impacto digital en la dinámica de la autoridad religiosa femenina y su expansión transnacional.

Abstract Recent literature on the political participation of Pentecostal evangelicals in Brazil has drawn attention to the transformations caused by their use of digital media. To broaden this debate, in this article I describe the everyday use of the WhatsApp instant messaging program by prayer groups, shedding light on how disputes engaged by Pentecostal women have re-signified their pastoral careers and formed new evangelical collectivities. With the emergence of other ways of experiencing the intimacy provided by mobile devices, I reflect on religious connections established across images and sounds in WhatsApp groups, in addition to the digital impact on the dynamics of female religious authority and its transnational expansion.

Stress Levels among Indian Doctors � An Online Survey

An Online survey was conducted by sending a ten-point questionnaire to about 200 Doctors in India, using the Survey Monkey App. A total of 146 responses were received, out of which 132 were complete. Majority of the Doctors had more than 20 years of experience in the Medical Profession and 80% of the respondents were males. Surprisingly, majority of the Doctors were happy with their income and though the prevalence of smoking and alcohol intakes was low, almost 60% had High Stress Levels. Professional Stress was almost twice that of Domestic Stress. The causes and solutions for these high levels of stress in the Indian Doctors needs to be explored further.

Aprendizaje colaborativo en la plataforma WhatsApp y el teléfono celular en tiempos de pandemia / Collaborative learning in the WhatsApp platform and the cellphone during pandemic times

Introducción: La pandemia COVID-19, causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2, y su exponencial crecimiento y migración a todos los continentes del globo terráqueo, provocaron una parálisis en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en las instituciones que no contaban con infraestructura en línea para el desarrollo de las actividades docentes de manera virtual. Objetivo: Exponer los retos, las soluciones y los aprendizajes que formaron parte del proceso para preservar las discusiones de casos clínicos en grupos pequeños de estudiantes durante las fases de cuarentena obligatoria de la pandemia en Sudáfrica. Métodos: Se aplicaron las fases de la investigación-acción adaptadas a las prácticas educacionales. En su ejecución participaron los 103 estudiantes del segundo año del grado de bachiller en Medicina y Cirugía, y sus 10 tutores. El módulo de Neurociencias fue el contexto educativo en el período comprendido entre abril y julio de 2020. Resultados: Se crearon chats de comunicación entre los actores del proceso. El módulo se prolongó en duración, y flexibilizó la frecuencia y el horario de las tutorías. Se redujo el número de secciones a develar de los casos y en cada una se introdujeron tareas que guiaron a aplicar contenidos derivados de los objetivos de aprendizaje. Se escogió la aplicación WhatsApp como la plataforma donde se realizarían las sesiones de tutoría. Conclusiones: El desplazamiento del aprendizaje colaborativo de las tutorías a la aplicación WhatsApp convirtió a esta plataforma en un aula virtual accesible en áreas de pobre conectividad. Los reajustes en la extensión y duración de los casos, y las nuevas tareas en sus secciones, se adaptaron a un proceso de asimilación más lento y con más opciones de mediación. Múltiples y variados resultaron los aprendizajes para los actores del proceso; vale destacar el humano y el tecnológico.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, as well as its exponential growth and migration to all continents of the globe, caused a paralysis in the teaching-learning process in institutions that did not have online infrastructure for the development of virtual teaching activities. Objective: To expose the challenges, solutions and learning that were part of the process for preserving clinical case discussions in small groups of students during the mandatory quarantine phases of the pandemic in South Africa. Methods: Action research phases adapted to educational practices were applied. All 103 second-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students and their ten tutors participated in its execution. The Neurosciences module was the educational context in the period from April to July 2020. Results: Communication chats were created between the actors of the process. The module was extended in length, and the frequency and schedule of tutoring sessions was made more flexible. The number of sections to be unveiled from the cases was reduced; each section included guiding tasks for applying contents derived from the learning objectives. The WhatsApp application was chosen as the platform where the tutoring sessions would take place. Conclusions: The shift of collaborative learning from tutorials to the WhatsApp application turned this platform into a virtual classroom accessible in areas of poor connectivity. The length readjustments in the cases, as well as the new tasks in their sections, were adapted to a slower assimilation process and with more mediation options. There were multiple and varied learning experiences for the actors in the process; it is worth highlighting the human and technological aspects.

Application of mobile phone technology as intervention for the management of tuberculosis patients diagnosed through community survey

Background & objectives: The delay in communicating the results to tuberculosis (TB) patients leads to increased rates of initial loss to follow up of treatment. The gap in communication among healthcare providers requires application of new tools that will address the challenges. Mobile phone technologies could be a useful tool in this context for the delivery of information. The objective was thus to evaluate communication by mobile applications such as the WhatsApp Messenger to decrease initial loss to follow up after initial treatment for TB. Methods: Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India undertook a community prevalence survey to find the burden of TB. During this survey, mobile phone-based technology (WhatsApp messenger) was employed as an intervention among the healthcare providers and researchers involved for communicating. This was further evaluated for its usefulness by examining the initial loss to follow up and patients initiated on treatment. Results: The study covered four blocks of Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, South India, namely Kadambathur, Poondi, Thiruvalangadu and Periyapalayam. The survey population was around 20,000 from each block, and the average patients diagnosed by community TB prevalence survey were 30 patients from each block. Among the patients diagnosed through this survey, in the first block, only 55 per cent were initiated on treatment; subsequently, with the intervention, the initial loss to follow up was significantly reduced from 45 to zero per cent. Interpretation & conclusions: After integrating of WhatsApp messenger application for communication among healthcare providers and research

La consulta en los tiempos de WhatsApp: una revisión rápida de la literatura / The Consultation in the Times of WhatsApp: A Quick Review of the Literature

Resumen Las tecnologías digitales en salud han permitido que los pacientes estén mejor informados, reducir tiempos y distancias para intervenciones en salud, lo que ha generado un cambio en la relación médico-paciente. El objetivo de este artículo fue explorar la evidencia relacionada con la influencia de WhatsApp en la relación médico-paciente. Por ello, se realizó una rápida revisión de la literatura en cinco bases de datos científicas. Obtuvimos un total de cuatro estudios que completaron los criterios de inclusión para la revisión: un reporte de caso, un estudio de casos y controles y dos estudios observacionales. El 65 % de los estudios incluidos informaron el uso de WhatsApp para la relación médico-paciente. La aplicación WhatsApp puede ser una herramienta útil como canal de comunicación en la relación. Se requiere tener especial cuidado con los aspectos éticos y legales de la comunicación entre profesionales y pacientes.

Abstract Digital technologies in health have allowed patients to be better informed, reduce times and distances for interventions in health, which has generated a change in the doctor-patient relationship. The objective of this article was to explore the evidence related to the influence of WhatsApp among the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, a rapid review of the literature was carried out in five scientific databases. We obtained a total of four studies who completed the inclusion criteria for the review: a report case study, a case-control study, and two descriptive studies. 65% of the included studies reported the usage of WhatsApp for medical - patient relationship. WhatsApp application can be a useful tool as a communication channel in the relationship. Is required to take special care with ethical and legal aspects of communication between professionals and patients.

Evaluation of efficacy of whatsapp messenger application in medical research education

Background: There is lack of knowledge regarding research amongst medical students as it is not included in the present curriculum of MBBS. Hence authors have selected ‘Medical Research’ as a topic to evaluate the efficacy of WhatsApp messenger application as a teaching-learning tool. There is very limited research on impact of technological modalities like WhatsApp on education. Authors undertook this study to evaluate its efficacy as a tool to supplement medical research education and assess the perception of students about e-learning via WhatsApp messenger application.Methods: A prospective analytical interventional study was conducted after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A self-designed comprehensive questionnaire was used to test the knowledge of medical students. A series of modules were sent and discussed on the WhatsApp study groups followed by assessment in change of the level of knowledge amongst the participants post intervention.Results: Applying the paired t-test, the scores of the study participants showed a statistically significant increase in the post- intervention evaluation (Mean=10.13, Median=10, Range=0-21) as compared to the baseline knowledge regarding medical research as reflected in the pre intervention evaluation (Mean=6.76, Median=7, Range=0-16). Conclusions: Growing availability of economical and user friendly smart phones in every generation has promoted use of WhatsApp by teachers as well as students. WhatsApp has the potential to supplement academic learning and become a natural educational modality. Necessary precautions could be taken to minimize the drawbacks expressed by the students to make it a more enjoyable and acceptable tool for teaching and learning.

Facebook, WhatsApp, y la comunicación de los jóvenes en sus relaciones de pareja / Facebook, WhatsApp, and youth communication in couple relationships

Las redes sociales han generado un impacto en la forma en que interactúan las personas. Por este motivo, el objetivo de este estudio fue indagar sobre cómo los jóvenes utilizan medios como Facebook y aplicaciones de mensajería instantánea como WhatsApp para cumplir con tareas que son clave en el funcionamiento de su relación de pareja, como el establecimiento de límites y el mantenimiento del clima emocional. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo, que involucró entrevistas a profundidad y etnografía virtual. Los participantes fueron 6 parejas de estudiantes universitarios heterosexuales quienes estuvieron bajo observación a través de sus conversaciones en Facebook y/o WhatsApp durante una semana. Se encontró que las parejas jóvenes utilizan las redes sociales con el fin de intercambiar mensajes sobre sus actividades cotidianas, atender las necesidades emocionales del otro y construir identidad. Se discuten los resultados en relación con la literatura existente y se sugieren direcciones para estudios en el futuro.

Social networks have had an impact on the way people interact. For this reason, this study aimed to investigate how young people use media such as Facebook or other social networks to fulfil tasks that are key to the functioning of their relationship, such as setting limits and maintaining the emotional climate. A qualitative descriptive study was carried out, involving in-depth interviews and virtual ethnography. The participants were six pairs of heterosexual university students observed through their conversations on Facebook and WhatsApp for one week. The finding was that young couples use social networks to exchange messages about their daily activities, address each other's emotional needs, and build identity. The results are discussed concerning existing literature and suggested directions for future studies.

Staff Reflection on the Effectiveness of Whatsapp Usage for Organizational Communication: a Study in a Private Malaysian Medical School

@#Introduction: Recently mobile communication technology had tremendous advances and became the priority for most of the users with some opponent opinions that highlight the accountability and the privacy issues in using these messaging applications. WhatsApp is scored to be the first top used messaging application worldwide that is used in 180 countries by about 1.5 billion population. This research aims to determine the staff reflections regarding the WhatsApp usage for organizational communication. Methods: This study is implied among the staff at the medical and health life science cluster, Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia. A questionnaire was distributed to all the staff through an online google form. Responses were analysed by the ‘Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ (SPSS) Version 24.0. Results: Results showed that all the staff responded (100%) are using WhatsApp for organizational communication with variable degrees of satisfaction; 8.1% are extremely satisfied, 61.3 % are satisfied, 12.9% are not satisfied and 16.1 % are extremely not satisfied. Their level of satisfaction is significantly affected by the respondent’s age, benefit of usage, and the time of messaging. Conclusion: To ensure effectiveness of communication through WhatsApp, it should be through official groups and the organization should put specific announced rules for the time of usage and the content of messages to be posted to all members.

The effectiveness of M-learning over traditional method among the medical students

Background: We are living in an era of technology where smart phones and hence social media have entered into many aspects of our life. Social media tools are gaining attention in medical education as well. Therefore, this study was done to find out the effect of M-learning via WhatsApp over the traditional method and also to know the students’ perception towards M-learning via WhatsApp.Methods: The study included 60 sixth semester students and they were divided into two groups of 30 each. 4 sessions were conducted on nutrition and occupational health. For the first 2 sessions, group I was intervention group (TL method was WhatsApp) and group II was control group (TL method was lecture). For the next 2 sessions, group II was interventional group (TL method was WhatsApp) and group I was control group (TL method was lecture). To assess the effectiveness of WhatsApp intervention, a test was conducted using 60 MCQs. To evaluate the participant’s perception towards M-learning via WhatsApp, a feedback questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups of students. Interventional-group perceived WhatsApp sessions to be effective than traditional lecture.Conclusions: In our study we found a significant difference between gains of knowledge from WhatsApp compared to didactic lectures. Students were favourably inclined to use the WhatsApp and welcome its role in enhancing their learning experience.

"WhatsApp"- A Supplementary Teaching Method In Anatomy For First Year Medical Students And Students' Reflection On It

Rationality:WhatsApp has been accepted as one of the commonly used social media for communication, texting, instant massaging by us. Now, when the Medical Council of India is stressing upon the Self-Directed Learning, e-learning; and the UG medical curriculum is shifting towards the Competency based medical education; at this juncture this study has been conducted to observe the acceptability of the WhatsApp based learning of the students. Aim:To analyse the feedback of the students for the WhatsApp based group discussion introduced in parallel to the Method: In the tenure of one and half months the Abdomen- viscera demonstration classes a WhatsApp group has been formed with the students. Students were provided with different provoking questions and they were asked to search out the replies by searching internet, books, journals and to post in the group. After the Part-completion, a feedback has been obtained from the students regarding their perception for acceptability of the WhatsApp based discussion in parallel to the classical class-room teaching. Result: majority of the students have replied that (1) It helped them to clear doubts, (2) There was constant schrynchonus or aschrynchonus communication with peers as well as the facilitators, (3) It helped them to study at their own place, at own time, (4) It helped them to participate in the group discussion, even when they stayed apart, (5) It provoked them to find the internet to solve the answers of the questions, i.e. it otherwards, it helped them for self-directed learning unknowingly. Conclusion:Self directed learning, peer assisted group discussion when perceived as one of the positive attribute for the WhatsApp based group discussion, on the other hand the teaching-learning hours also expands outside the class-room hours. So, the core-competencies may be taught in the on-site classroom, whereas the other non-core areas as well as problem-based questions may be discussed in the social media platform with the students

Use of Social Networks for Data Collection in Scientific Productions in the Health Area: Integrative Literature Review / Uso de redes sociales para recolección de datos en producciones científicas en el área de la salud: revisión integrativa de la literatura / Utilização de redes sociais para coleta de dados em produções científicas na área da saúde: revisão integrativa da literatura

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate evidence on the use of social networks to collect data in scientific productions in the health area. Material and method: An integrative literature review from primary studies indexed in the SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science platforms. Results: 16 scientific articles were selected, of which nine focused on the use of WhatsApp; five, on the use of Facebook; and two, on employing Twitter to collect data in scientific productions. Growth was noted on the number of investigations associated to the use of social networks, although an important paradigm still exists related to the use to generate scientific evidence, resulting in a still low number of investigations on this theme. Conclusions: The health area needs to approach evermore the development of research associated to social networks, given that this would enable a viable and rapid intervention in obtaining responses, besides being a low cost and very promising tool for data collection.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar las evidencias del uso de redes sociales para recolectar datos en producciones científicas en el área de salud. Material y método: una revisión integrativa de la literatura a partir de estudios primarios indexados en las plataformas SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus y Web of Science. Resultados: se seleccionaron 16 artículos científicos, de los cuales nueve se centraron en el uso de WhatsApp; cinco, en el uso de Facebook; y dos, en empleo de Twitter para recolectar datos en producciones científicas. Hubo crecimiento en el número de investigaciones asociadas al uso de redes sociales, aunque aún existe un gran paradigma relacionado a su uso para generar evidencia científica, lo que resulta en un número aún reducido de investigaciones en esta temática. Conclusiones: el área de la salud necesita acercarse cada vez más al desarrollo de investigaciones asociadas a las redes sociales, pues esto posibilitaría una intervención viable y rápida en la obtención de respuestas, además de ser una herramienta de bajo costo y bastante promisoria para la recolección de datos.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar as evidências da utilização de redes sociais para coleta de dados em produções científicas na área da saúde. Material e método: uma revisão integrativa da literatura a partir de estudos primários indexados nas plataformas SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus e Web of Science. Resultados: foram selecionados 16 artigos científicos, dos quais nove apresentaram foco na utilização do WhatsApp; cinco, no uso do Facebook; e dois, no emprego do Twitter para coleta de dados em produções científicas. Houve um crescimento no número de pesquisas associadas à utilização de redes sociais, embora ainda exista um grande paradigma relacionado ao uso para a geração de evidências científicas, o que resulta em um número ainda reduzido de pesquisas nessa temática. Conclusões: a área da saúde precisa aproximar-se cada vez mais do desenvolvimento de pesquisas associadas às redes sociais, pois isso possibilitaria uma intervenção viável e rápida na obtenção de respostas, além de ser uma ferramenta de baixo custo e bastante promissora para a coleta de dados.

Role of WhatsApp in improving learning among medical students

Background: WhatsApp is one of the most famous messaging services which everyone including youngsters use. This service is easy, cheaper, and faster. It is used to transmit information. Slow learners are the students who do not perform well which may be due to disinterest or pressure. The biggest challenge for any teacher is to uplift the slow learners. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to find out the role of WhatsApp in augmenting learning in ENT among the third professional MBBS students. Materials and Methods: Students of the third professional MBBS who use smartphones and have WhatsApp facility and willing to study through WhatsApp along with their regular teaching schedule was identified as slow learners and fast learners depending on their performance in the first semester examinations. All these students were put into a single WhatsApp group and were given assignments that they had to write and submit in JPG format and also upload one latest research article on that topic. After 5 months, the students were analyzed for performance in the second semester examinations and feedback was taken regarding their experience with this study method. Results: Most of the students showed that interest in this method among both slow learners (88%) and fast learners (87%) and felt their knowledge has improved (80% in slow and 77% in fast learners). The overall performance also improved in the second semester examinations. Conclusion: WhatsApp can improve learning, especially among slow learners by creating their interest and improving communication among students. It can motivate and play an augmenting role to traditional learning methods to improve learning.

Nuevas tecnologías en educación superior. Estudio de percepción en estudiantes acerca del uso de WhatsApp y Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje (Plataforma Moodle) / New technologies in higher education. Perception study among students on the use of WhatsApp and Virtual Learning Environments (Moodle Platform)

El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad la valoración estudiantil respecto al uso de WhatsApp (WAP) y los Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje (EVA) en la Facultad de Odontología (FO), de la Udelar (Montevideo - Uruguay). Se realizó estudio descriptivo observacional en estudiantes de la generación 2016 - FO - UdelaR. Se utilizó una encuesta con 5 items en relación a tres aplicaciones tecnológicas (WhatsApp, Plataforma Moodle y Polimedias), fueron valorados de 0-12 puntos. En WhatsApp se consultó acerca de la posibilidad de consultar dudas, compartir imágenes, informarse, interactuar con el docente y compañeros, dando como resultado en cada item un puntaje promedio de 10.77-10.63-10.63-10.63 y 9.20 respectivamente. En EVA se consultaron los mismos ítems salvo el dos (fue acceder a presentaciones de clase), recibiendo un puntaje promedio de 8.53-11.27-10.33-9.47 y 5.53. Se percibe un alto grado de aceptación entre las diferentes tecnologías, con un mayor grado de aceptación en cuanto a la comunicación de WhatsApp frente a la plataforma Moodle.

The aim of this work was to have students evaluate the use of WhatsApp (WAP) and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at the School of Dentistry, UdelaR (Montevideo - Uruguay). An observational descriptive study was conducted on students from the 2016 generation. A survey with five items was implemented, including three technological applications (WhatsApp, Moodle Platform and Polimedias), which were rated 0 to 12 points. As for WhatsApp, we asked about the possibility of clarifying doubts, sharing images, getting information, interacting with the teacher and classmates. The average score obtained was 10.77-10.63-10.63-10.63 and 9.20 for each item, respectively. In the VLE, the same items were included except for number two (access to class presentations), receiving an average score of 8.53-11.27-10.33-9.47 and 5.53. There is a high degree of acceptance of the different technologies, WhatsApp communication being more widely accepted than communication in the Moodle platform.

Scale validation to evaluate WhatsApp dependence (WADS)

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND INFORMATION: One of the most popular social networks is WhatsApp. Abusive use of this tool has produced significant changes in behavioral and social behaviors and habits of individuals. Therefore, research is needed to allow us to specifically evaluate the interaction of WhatsApp with the daily lives of individuals. OBJECTIVE: Production and validation of a scale to evaluate WhatsApp dependence (WADS). METHODS: Validation performed in 5 phases: 1- initial scale construction with 20 questions, 2- expert evaluation, 3- application in volunteers, 4- statistical analysis and results, and 5- elaboration of the final version of the validated WADS. RESULTS: We obtained a descriptive statistical analysis, a clear-cut separation of dependents vs. non-dependents and a successful factorial analysis. These results provided a validated version of WADS. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to construct a final version of WADS adequate to clinical contexts and to be used in future research to evaluate dependence of this digital tool. WADS will contribute to the conscious use of WhatsApp, hopefully reducing harmful effects and improving quality of life.

Implementación de servicios de referencia móvil en la Biblioteca de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos: el uso de Whatsapp y SMS / Implementation of mobile reference services in the Library of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights: the Whatsapp and SMS use

Resumen Se expone, en detalle, el proceso de implementación de dos servicios de referencia en la Biblioteca de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, mediante el uso de dispositivos y aplicaciones móviles. Los servicios implementados son la atención de consultas por mensaje de texto (SMS) y el envío de alertas informativas a través de Whatsapp. Se abordan detalles de la instalación, las pruebas del servicio y las políticas de implementación. Se concluye que las nuevas tecnologías móviles están brindando a las bibliotecas modernas posibilidades de ofertar sus servicios, dando al usuario la capacidad de utilizar los recursos de la unidad de información sin desplazarse físicamente al edificio; estas posibilidades no necesariamente requieren de una alta inversión presupuestaria para llevarlas a cabo.

Abstract The process of implementation of two reference services in the Library of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights is presented in detail through the use of mobile devices and applications. The services implemented are the attention of queries by text message (SMS) and the sending of informational alerts through Whatsapp. Installation details, service testing and implementation policies are addressed. It is concluded that new mobile technologies are giving libraries new possibilities to offer their services, giving the user the ability to use the resources of the information unit without moving physically to the building. These new possibilities do not necessarily require a high budget investment to carry them out.

Oi. Q horas mesmo ficou nossa sessão? TKS / Hi. What time will really be our appointment? TKS / Hola. ¿A qué hora habíamos marcado nuestra sesión? TKS

A autora apresenta algumas preocupações frente ao impacto que as novas plataformas de comunicação produzem dentro das relações analíticas. Questões como responder e-mails, torpedos ou WhatsApp, ou ainda se o analista deve ter ou não Facebook, são examinadas. Sem oferecer uma posição conclusiva a respeito dessas questões, a autora propõe que os analistas não podem “perder o trem da história”. É preciso que aprendam a usar essas ferramentas, pois recusar-se a isso pode ser menos neutro do que usá-las. Também são abordadas preocupações a respeito da perda do anonimato na web.

The author expresses her concerns about the impact of new communication platforms on analytic relationships. Issues such as answering e-mails, text messages or WhatsApp, and even if the analyst should have a Facebook account or not, are debated. Without providing a conclusive position, the author proposes that analysts can't be “behind the times”. They must learn how to use these tools, because refusing to do so would be less neutral than using the tools. She also poses concerns about the loss of anonymity due to searching the web.

La autora presenta algunas preocupaciones relacionadas al impacto que las nuevas formas de comunicación pueden tener en las relaciones psicoanalíticas. Temas como correos, torpedos o WhatsApp, así como si debe o no el analista utilizar el Facebook, son examinados. Sin tener una posición definitiva en esas cuestiones la autora defiende la opinión de que el analista que se omite puede “perder el tren de la historia”. El analista necesita aprender a utilizar esas nuevas formas de comunicación pues rechazarlas puede ser menos neutro que usarlas. La preocupación con la pérdida del anonimato en la web es también examinada.