Comparative Effectiveness of Health Communication Strategies in Nursing: A Mixed Methods Study of Internet, mHealth, and Social Media Versus Traditional Methods.

Background: Effective communication is vital in health care, especially for nursing students who are the future of health care delivery. In Iraq's nursing education landscape, characterized by challenges such as resource constraints and infrastructural limitations, understanding communication modalities is crucial.

Objective: This mixed methods study conducted in 2 nursing colleges aims to explore and compare the effectiveness of health communication on the web, through mobile health (mHealth) applications, and via social media among nursing students in Iraq. The research addresses a gap in understanding communication modalities specific to Iraq and explores the perspectives, experiences, and challenges faced by nursing students.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample (n=30), and a structured survey was distributed to a larger sample (n=300) representing diverse educational programs. The study used a nuanced approach to gather insights into the preferences and usage patterns of nursing students regarding communication modalities. The study was conducted between January 12, 2023, and May 5, 2023.

Results: Qualitative findings highlighted nursing students' reliance on the web for educational materials, the significant role of mHealth applications in clinical skill development, and the emergence of social media platforms as community-building tools. Quantitative results revealed high-frequency web use (276/300, 92%) for educational purposes, regular mHealth application usage (204/300, 68%) in clinical settings, and active engagement on social media platforms (240/300, 80%). Traditional methods such as face-to-face interactions (216/300, 72%) and practical experiences (255/300, 85%) were preferred for developing essential skills.

Conclusions: The study underscores nursing students' preference for an integrated approach, recognizing the complementary strengths of traditional and digital methods. Challenges include concerns about information accuracy and ethical considerations in digital spaces. The findings emphasize the need for curriculum adjustments that seamlessly integrate diverse communication modalities to create a dynamic learning environment. Educators play a crucial role in shaping this integration, emphasizing the enduring value of face-to-face interactions and practical experiences while harnessing the benefits of digital resources. Clear guidelines on professional behavior online are essential. Overall, the study expands the understanding of communication modalities among nursing students in Iraq and provides valuable insights for health care education stakeholders globally.