WeChat mini program in laboratory biosafety education among medical students at Guangzhou Medical University: a mixed method study of feasibility and usability

Abstract

Abstract Background Laboratory biosafety should be a priority in all healthcare institutions. An engaging and tailored training program will ensure that students are prepared for their careers as professionals so that they can perform their duties in a safe and effective manner. As the most popular social application in China, WeChat has become a powerful tool for delivering interventions and can be used for health education. The objective of the present study was to assess the feasibility and usability of a WeChat mini program in laboratory biosafety education for medical laboratory students at Guangzhou Medical University (GMU). Methods The WeChat mini program "WeMed" was developed and extensively evaluated using a mixed method approach. A convergent design was undertaken to assess feasibility and usability among second-year undergraduate students at GMU between November 2022 and June 2023. In the quantitative strand, two evaluations were conducted via online surveys from students (n = 67) after a four-week study period. The System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to evaluate usability, while self-developed questions were used to assess feasibility. In the qualitative strand, fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to confirm the findings. A reflexive thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the qualitative data. Results An adequate SUS score (M = 68.17, SD = 14.39) was obtained in the quantitative strand. Based on the results, the acceptability of the WeMed program is in the marginal high range, and the grade scale is in class D. This finding was further supported by the positive experiences shared by students highlighting the usability and feasibility of the WeMed program in the qualitative strand. Conclusion The WeMed program proves to be a valuable supplementary learning strategy for medical laboratory students, empowering them with essential knowledge and skills in laboratory biosafety. WeMed's emphasis on laboratory biosafety contributes to a culture of safety and compliance in medical laboratories. Medical laboratory students could better prepared to adhere to safety protocols and guidelines, contributing to a safer working environment for themselves and others.