An Audit and Survey of Informal Use of Instant Messaging for Dermatology in District Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2022 Jun 24

PMID 35742708

Authors

Christopher Morris

Richard E Scott

Maurice Mars

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: In KwaZulu-Natal (KZ-N), South Africa, recent reports have indicated that spontaneous use of smartphones has occurred, providing access to specialist dermatological care to remote areas. This informal use has raised a number of practical, legal, regulatory, and ethical concerns.

Aim: To assess the nature and content of WhatsApp messages sent to dermatologists, to determine the referring doctors' reasons for, and satisfaction with, their interactions, as well as their knowledge of legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.

Methods: A retrospective study of WhatsApp messages between referring doctors and dermatologists, as well as a cross-sectional survey of doctors working at district hospitals in KZ-N who used IM for teledermatology.

Results: Use of IM (primarily WhatsApp) for teledermatology was almost universal, but often not considered 'telemedicine'. Few referring doctors were aware of South Africa's ethical guidelines and their requirements, and few of those who did followed them, e.g., the stipulated and onerous consent process and existing privacy and security legislations. No secure methods for record keeping or data storage of WhatsApp content were used. A desire to formalize the service existed.

Conclusions: Based upon these findings, it was proposed that a number of described steps be followed in order to formalize the use of IM for teledermatology.

Citing Articles

Towards 'Formalising' WhatsApp Teledermatology Practice in KZ-N District Hospitals: Key Informant Interviews.

Morris C, Scott R, Mars M Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(10).

PMID: 39457361 PMC: 11507593. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21101388.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Narrative Review of Types and Characteristics of Therapeutic Interventions.

Di Cara M, Rizzo C, Corallo F, Cardile D, Calabro R, Quartarone A Children (Basel). 2023; 10(8).

PMID: 37628296 PMC: 10453506. DOI: 10.3390/children10081297.

Auditing the Audits: A Systematic Review on Different Procedures in Telemedicine.

Cardile D, Corallo F, Cappadona I, Ielo A, Bramanti P, Lo Buono V Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(5).

PMID: 36901491 PMC: 10001883. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054484.

A Survey of Telemedicine Use by Doctors in District Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Morris C, Scott R, Mars M Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(20).

PMID: 36293608 PMC: 9602563. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013029.

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