Role of WhatsApp Messenger in the Laboratory Management System: A Boon to Communication

Abstract

The revolution of internet and specifically mobile internet has occurred at a blinding pace over the last decade. With the advent of smart phones, the hand held device has become much more than a medium of voice calling. Healthcare has been catching up with the digital revolution in the form of Hospital Information System and Laboratory Information System. However, the advent of instant messaging services, which are abundantly used by the youth, can be used to improve communication and coordination among the various stake holders in the healthcare sector. We have tried to look at the impact of using the WhatsApp messenger service in the laboratory management system, by forming multiple groups of the various subsections of the laboratory. A total of 35 members used this service for a period of 3 months and their response was taken on a scale of 1 to 10. There was significant improvement in the communication in the form of sharing photographic evidence, information about accidents, critical alerts, duty rosters, academic activities and getting directives from seniors. There was also some increase in the load of adding information to the application and disturbance in the routine activities; but the benefits far outweighed the minor hassles. We thereby suggest and foresee another communication revolution which will change the way information is shared in a healthcare sector, with hospital specific dedicated apps.

Instagram and WhatsApp in Health and Healthcare: An Overview

“…Dorwal et al [29] tested the use of WhatsApp in laboratory management by forming multiple laboratory groups. Thirty-five members used the service for three months and responses were taken on a scale of 1 to 10.…”

Pediatric surgeons and Whatsapp: Fırst impressions of daily use of communication software in pediatric surgery

“…Avantajları: Geliştirilmiş sesli iletişim, çağrı cihazından daha az rahatsız edicilik, fiziksel olarak hastanede bulunma gereksinimini azaltma, bilgisayara gereksinim duymama, e-postadan daha hızlı, derhal yanıt vermeye olanak kılma, klinik olayları azaltma, konsültasyon ve danışma zamanını kısaltma, ekip kontrol düzeyini artırıp denetimi geliştirme, hiyerarşiyi azaltma, kararların daha üst düzey personel tarafından alınmasını sağlama ve genç doktorları yardım aramaya teşvik etme, böylece ekip çalışmasının etkinliğini arttırma (10)(11)(12)(13) .…”

Communicating laboratory results through a Web site: Patients' priorities and viewpoints

“…Similarly, results of a study conducted by Giardina showed that patients prefer to receive their abnormal laboratory results through a portal. However, results of some other studies revealed that providing patients with online laboratory results can raise their concerns regarding information confidentiality . Besides, problems related to health and computer literacy were other concerns related to online communication of laboratory results .…”

“…However, results of some other studies revealed that providing patients with online laboratory results can raise their concerns regarding information confidentiality. [22][23][24] Besides, problems related to health and computer literacy were other concerns related to online communication of laboratory results. 21 Some other concerns are negative emotional reaction of patients when they receive their abnormal laboratory results and inability to understand normal and abnormal results that require a physician to explain the results.…”