Objective
To report junior doctors perspective of radiology education and consultation which was received remotely via social media during the ongoing war in Sudan. The UNESCO warned that the Sudan eduction system is facing the world’s most severe crises. The WHO reported that the Sudan healthcare is hanging by a thread.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted by questionnaire. Members of SudaRad whats app medical groups and who attended the last two sessions of an ongoing radiology course were invited to give their perspective. 197 doctors attended the bone and joint course on 1st July 2024 and 217 attended the chest course on 9th July 2024.Response rate was 321/414=77.5% over a period of 4 days. The majority of the 414 participants were females238(74%). were females. Participants were displaced from their base hospitals and dispersed into over 20 countries. The largest group of was relocated in Saudi Arabia 113 ( 27% )followed by 107( 25.8%) who relocated to over 15 district cities within the Sudan. The majority of participants were medical residents 128/ 414( 30.9 %) followed by family physicians 54(13 %). 224 ( 70%) of the participants thought that the course was extremely useful and 89( 21.5%) thought it was useful. Only one person thought the course was not useful. The average star rating was 4.63 out of five. There is a rising popularity for the SudaRad what’s app group. 124 joined in the last week. Participants were given a multiple choice as to which activity should continue 262 recommended the lecture series 248 recommended case of the day and 188 recommended consultations. There was daily referral of non-combat medical emergencies which gave a great teaching opportunity. These included pulmonary embolism, subdural haematomas, cerebral haemorrhage, brain infarcts, cerebral sinus thrombosis, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, tumours, respiratory distress and pneumonias. Tuberculosis was alarmingly frequent, and the radiologic findings were promptly escalated. Attendees progress was monitored with pre and post course self-assessment tests.
Conclusion
Voluntary remote education and consultation using social media can save lives and enhance medical education. This can bring together the widespread members of Sudan medical community and trainees in particular to interact in dedicated social media groups.
It is hoped that this activity would stimulate other educators to beat the disruption of the established training programs. Expectedly, our activities have relieved the stress and improved the morale of those who were forced out of their destroyed universities and hospitals.