Figure 2

Conference poster presentations can benefit greatly from the use of QR codes. A QR code, rather than simply putting images to a poster, allows conference participants to incorporate videos that presenters have connected to their signs. This technology expands information exchange in static 2-dimensional posters. It includes multimedia presentations that enhance the poster's educational value by presenting slideshows (Figure 2) or films of uncommon case reports, surgical techniques, or other video-centric material. QR codes also give useful resources, such as the presenter's vCard, contact information, references, extra material, or feedback questionnaires. 2

Beyond posters, QR codes can enhance the educational content of lecture presentations (Figure 3) by:

(a) quickly guiding learners toward resources to prepare for lectures, and

(b) extra stress on information by linking relevant articles, videos, or other classes.

QR codes also can be integrated into print or digital publications. When added to journal articles or textbook chapters, they can link to less effectively modelled resources in fixed 2-dimensional figures. Rather than using photos or graphs, QR readers can show videos or dynamic graphs and models that can be updated and enhanced over time. The QR codes allow print and online resources to be converted interchangeably by embedding videos not earlier possible on printed resources.

Because QR codes are shareable, they are apt for clinical simulations, which educators are using to creatively engage learners to apply knowledge and act in real-time simulated clinical scenarios. 3, 4, 5

At academic teaching hospitals, a number of small studies have discovered a correlation between improved applicability and quicker feedback when QR readers are utilised for trainee assessment.

There are numerous challenges that a pharmaceutical company and its consumers face regularly. One of those challenges is a counterfeit product. Using QR can assist the development get an additional level of legitimacy. Moreover, QR codes can ensure more accessible access to product manuals and related info graphics.

We at RUHS-CMS Jaipur have started an initiative of digitally cataloguing our Experimental Lab Equipment, Research lab Equipment and Pharmacology museum exhibits (Figure 4).

Moreover, we have made those digital catalogues accessible to our students through QR codes.

We have also provided our students with QR codes based access to online mental health assessment tools (GMHAT) (Figure 5) to keep track of their mental health.

At the Department of Pharmacology, RUHS-CMS, we are also planning for an attendance method that utilises QR codes that students can scan with their smart phones at the entrance to the lecture hall, and their Attendance will automatically get recorded in an Excel sheet.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India mandated QR Codes on all pharmaceutical packages. The primary goal is to pass on the benefits of fair pricing to customers. Furthermore, to keep customers informed of any price decreases or increases. 6

The QR Code scanner is linked to software that has price information for all brands. This is overseen by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). Any pricing change is automatically updated in the software. Customers receive real-time information on the pricing of the Medicine when they scan it. As a result, they may pay properly.

Many other countries have recognised the usefulness of QR Codes and have provided regulatory guidelines to accelerate the adoption of this technology. The European Medical Agency (EMA), for example, has recognised QR Codes' enormous potential in the pharmaceutical industry. As a result, it has created guidelines and restrictions for all brands and firms who want to incorporate QR codes into their prescription packaging.

Five-step guide to how to make a QR code for a link includes:-

Researchers, including healthcare professionals, postgraduate medical students, and a medical professor, conducted a pilot cross-sectional study using a self-constructed e-questionnaire (Table 1). The questionnaire was created with Google Forms containing 13 questions about QR code utility, generation technique, and prevalent usage and also a consent statement (Table 2) from participants. Healthcare professionals from Rajasthan, including medical and paramedical students, were eligible to participate. Respondents who refused to fill out the survey, provided incomplete responses, or opted out of the survey process were excluded from the results analysis.

Participants were also encouraged to share the survey with their contacts in order to boost participation and response rates. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Board (Ref No.: ECR/434/Inst./RJ/2013/RR-19, dated:7^th July 2022).

Microsoft Excel's Data Analysis toolpak was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages for categorical data and mean and standard deviation for numerical data are shown. Regression analysis was used to compare the frequencies of prominent factors (independent variables) with the Dependent variable. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all statistical tests, with a 5% margin of error.

The survey sample consisted of 142 respondents, 50.7% of whom were females and 48.6% of whom were males. 96.5% of respondents were between the ages of 15 and 25, while 3.5% were between the ages of 26 and 45. Figure 6 shows that 76.8% of respondents were students, 18.3% were doctors, and the remaining 4.9% worked in paramedical services. The majority of respondents were aware of the utility of QR codes in everyday life and academics, with online transactions being the most common application. 84.5% of respondents were aware of the technology behind QR codes, and 83.1% had used the QR code in various scenarios (Figure 7). Google form responses were fed into Microsoft excel sheets, and responses were quantified and given a numerical value. For example, reactions ranging from strongly agree to disagree strongly (Figure 8) were quantified on a numerical scale of 1 to 5. Despite their awareness, only 21.1% of those polled knew how to make a QR code (Figure 9).

The three hypotheses’ P-values were calculated using Microsoft Excel's Data Analysis toolpak.

Results indicate that awareness of technology and the use of QR codes is not a significant factor in the acceptance of QR code usage in accessing study material and Attendance. Nevertheless, we have a significant p-value (p-value = 0.017) when acceptance of QR codes in medical education was not substantial in healthcare professionals exposed to QR codes in the Department of Pharmacology. The results indicate that knowledge of QR codes and use of QR codes outside of the medical setting do not affect the acceptability of QR codes by healthcare professionals. Still, when they are exposed to QR codes in the medical setup, there is a significant correlation between acceptance of QR codes for study materials and Attendance.QR codes can be used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, medical education, and pharmaceuticals. Our findings indicate that the majority of Healthcare professionals have easy access to the technology required to generate QR codes. However, approximately 21.1% of healthcare professionals are unaware of the QR code generation technique.

The main limitation of this technology is the access to smartphones and reliable internet connection.

Although smartphones are available in all price ranges, the smartphone penetration in the population is 30-70%, depending on the region's geography, socioeconomic situation, and internet access.

Another limitation is the lack of knowledge amongst medical professionals, educators, and students about how to use this technology effectively and how to create and integrate QR codes in their activities. With the ease of use, these QR codes also risk phishing cyber-attacks, and scanning a wrong malicious code may infringe upon patron’s digital privacy and install harmful apps in the device. Hence proper awareness about how to use these codes while protecting self from phishing attacks requires adequate knowledge and understanding of this technology.

QR codes are trusted tools for increasing access to online resources such as videos, infographics, and instant feedback in presentations, posters, and publications. Furthermore, they may transform information sharing and promote interactivity in teacher-less, flipped, or hybrid classrooms through discussions, workshops, and simulations. Also, QR codes can help pharmaceutical companies safeguard their consumers from counterfeit products and misleading information.

Based on our results of the tested hypothesis in our study, we can conclude that most Healthcare workers and medical students approve of more integration of QR codes in medical workflow and agree with the convenience, ease of use, and easier access to information. This study employed QR codes as an example of a newer tool for improving student interaction in medical education, but many other technological innovations in various educational settings can be examined for acceptance using the same methods.