In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding: "Other Apps Beyond WhatsApp"

Utility of WhatsApp in healthcare provision and sharing of medical information with caregivers of children with neurodisabilties: experience from Sudan

The authors used smart phones and its WhatsApp application, as a means of communication among the team members and caregivers for children with neurodisabilities, for patient consultations and medical information sharing as they are faced by an increasing number of patients coming from all over Sudan. The group included 256 mothers (caregivers) of children with neurodisabilities. The caregivers (mostly mothers) were asked to fill in a simple survey to get a feedback regarding the service offered in the WhatsApp group after taking their permission. The main aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of WhatsApp application as a means of communication between neurology team members and caregivers for children with neurodisabilities. Two hundred and forty-two caregivers responded (94.5%). All caregivers think that there is a great benefit from the group in locating the whereabouts of some unattainable/out of stock drugs. Two hundred and forty (99.1%) caregivers think that questions posed in the group are promptly and timely answered; the consultation offered is beneficial and minimises the need to go to hospital or seek a doctor's appointment. In addition, they think that they benefit from the new acquaintance and communication with mothers whose children suffer from similar conditions, which positively impacted their spirits and had a favourable effect psychologically. Using WhatsApp can solve the problems of shortage in neurology service in remote areas in resource limited countries.

WhatsApp and other messaging apps in medicine: opportunities and risks

WhatsApp is a popular messaging application frequently used by physicians and healthcare organizations that can improve the continuity of care and facilitate effective health services provision, especially in acute settings. However WhatsApp does not comply with the rules of the European GDPR and the US HIPA Act. So it is inappropriate to share clinical information via WhatsApp.For this reason alternatives to Whatsapp are considered. In particular, the features that must have secure messaging apps to be in compliance with GDPR and HIPAA and to protect patient data will be discussed. The aim is to encourage healthcare organizations and physicians to abandon WhatsApp and to adopt one of the many secure messaging apps now available, some of them at no cost.