Using smartphone technology and social media to introduce a new pain relief method during the fitting of contraceptive subdermal implants

Abstract

This article describes how a personal smartphone and an online video-sharing platform were used to produce and then disseminate an interactive training resource to staff working in a contraception and sexual health service in England. This interactive training resource was one element of a larger staff training package developed to support the introduction of vapocoolant anaesthetic spray as the main method of pain relief offered to women being fitted with contraceptive subdermal implants. Contextual challenges demanded an approach to training that was highly flexible and training materials that could be made readily accessible to a large and diverse clinical team. Photographs and videos were used to convey important learning points. Three months after implementation of the initiative, a small staff survey indicated the approach had been successful and a change in practice effectively implemented. The paper shares some learning points, most pertinently, how everyday technologies can improve patient care.