WhatsApp-propriate? A retrospective content analysis of WhatsApp use and potential breaches in confidentiality among a team of doctors at a district hospital, South Africa

CONCLUSIONS: Non-anonymised patient identifiers were found in 3.3% of messages, constituting the potential for breaching patient confidentiality. While WhatsApp groups have significant utility in co-ordinating aspects of clinical care, resource allocation, as well as social and administrative functions, the safe use of WhatsApp should be promoted to ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained.PMID:33944729 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i2.14453

Source: South African Medical Journal - May 4, 2021 Category: African Health Authors: G D Meyer N Meyer J D Du Toit P A Mans B D Moffett Source Type: research