Corbett Mel, Chapman Lucy, O'Shea John, Canning Patrick, Sebaoui Salim, O'Sullivan Donnchadh, Power Norah, O'Connor Margaret
Otolaryngology, University Hospital Galway, Galway, IRL.
Ageing and Therapeutics Division, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, IRL.
Cureus. 2019 Jul 31;11(7):e5285. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5285.
Use of web-based messaging applications to communicate clinical information is common between non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs). This study sought to assess web-based messenger use in NCHDs following the introduction of a more secure alternative to WhatsApp (WhatsApp, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA).
A 10-item survey was undertaken on two NCHD cohorts. The second cohort received training on data protection and an alternative application to WhatsApp. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY).
The total response rate across both groups was 63% (N = 68). The majority of respondents used WhatsApp to communicate clinical information. In the second cohort, fewer NCHDs shared identifiable sensitive patient information 97% (n = 29/30) vs 81% (n = 25/31) and fewer NCHDs shared/stored clinical images.
WhatsApp use is common among NCHDs. An alternative means of communication can improve the safety of patient data. NCHDs require more training on data protection laws and their own responsibilities.
在非顾问医院医生（NCHD）之间，使用基于网络的消息应用程序来交流临床信息很常见。本研究旨在评估在引入一种比WhatsApp（美国加利福尼亚州门洛帕克市的WhatsApp公司）更安全的替代应用程序后，NCHD对基于网络的即时通讯工具的使用情况。
对两组NCHD进行了一项包含10个项目的调查。第二组接受了数据保护培训以及一款WhatsApp替代应用程序的培训。使用IBM社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）（纽约州阿蒙克市的IBM SPSS Statistics）进行定量数据分析。
两组的总回复率为63%（N = 68）。大多数受访者使用WhatsApp交流临床信息。在第二组中，分享可识别的敏感患者信息的NCHD较少（97%，n = 29/30 对 81%，n = 25/31），且分享/存储临床图像的NCHD也较少。
WhatsApp在NCHD中使用普遍。一种替代交流方式可提高患者数据的安全性。NCHD需要接受更多关于数据保护法及其自身责任的培训。
