PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION: Wellbeing during COVID-19: A social media takeover

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.272275

Keywords:

wellbeing, wellness, covid-19, resiliency, pharmacy, student

Abstract

Introduction: Student wellbeing is a key component of pharmacy programmes, with most events occurring in-person through co-curricular or extra-curricular activities. With the shift to online classes due to COVID-19, many wellness events were cancelled due to social distancing limitations. However, promotion of wellbeing was considered to be of utmost importance during this time due to rising levels of stress and social isolation among students.

Description: The school’s Instagram and Facebook accounts were managed by a group of the university’s faculty for six weeks. Each week, different daily wellness themes were shared and participation by followers encouraged through quizzes, polls, or reposts. The Instagram stories and posting platforms were used routinely with select posts also shared via Facebook. A new hashtag was created and promoted to encourage additional posting and community building. Video stories were also shared of faculty expressing their mental/physical health challenges and subsequent coping mechanisms during COVID-19.

Results: During the last six weeks of virtual learning, 280 stories and 23 posts were shared via Instagram. Shared stories included promotion of: cardiovascular exercise, weight training, yoga, music, media, gratitude, recognition, positive thinking, coping and games. Overall, 20 different faculty and staff were involved in sharing video stories to promote wellbeing. Of the 13 posts also shared to Facebook, a total of 10,429 people were reached.

Conclusion: School social media platforms can be used to regularly connect virtually during times of crises. Promoting wellness activities can help engage students and faculty/staff to ensure they are focusing on their own wellbeing. With social distance regulations for the foreseeable future, pharmacy programs should consider using social media as a wellbeing tool for both student and faculty/staff engagement

Author Biographies

Andrew Burch, Wingate University, United States of America

School of Pharmacy

Ryan Owens, Wingate University, United States of America

School of Pharmacy

Sarah Nisly, Wingate University, United States of America

School of Pharmacy

Shawn Riser Taylor, Wingate University, United States of America

School of Pharamcy

References

ACAP (American Association of College Pharmacy). (2020). Commitment to Clinician Well-Being and Resilience 2020. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Available from: https://www.aacp.org/article/commitment-clinician-well-being-and-resilience

Boyd, M. (2020). RPS guidance on ethical, professional decision making in the COVID-19 Pandemic (online). Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Available at: https://www.rpharms.com/resources/pharmacy-guides/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-information-for-pharmacists/ethical-decision-making

Brazeau, G.A., Frenzel, J.E., & Prescott, W.A. (2020). Facilitating Wellbeing During a Turbulent Time. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6) https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8154

eMarketer. (2018). US Social Media Users by Generation, 2019. Available at: https://www.emarketer.com/chart/226029/us-social-media-users-by-generation-2019-of-population

FIP [International Pharmaceutical Federation]. (2020). International Pharmaceutical Federation Statement of Policy. Call to action to support pharmacists and pharmacy workers on the coronavirus frontline. Available at: https://www.fip.org/ files/content/publications/2020/FIP-call-to-action-to-support-pharmacists-and-pharmacy-workers-on-the-coronavirus-COVID-19-frontline.pdf

Khoros.(2020). The 2020 Social Media Demographics Guide. Available at: https://khoros.com/resources/social-media-demographics-guide

Schlesselman, L.S., Cain, J., & DiVall, M. (2020). Improving and Restoring the Well-being and Resilience of Pharmacy Students during a Pandemic. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 84(6) https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8144

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Published

16-01-2021

How to Cite

Burch, A., Owens, R. ., Nisly, S. ., & Taylor, S. R. (2021). PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION: Wellbeing during COVID-19: A social media takeover. Pharmacy Education, 20(2), p. 272 –275. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.272275

Issue

Section

COVID-19 Research Paper