Use of WhatsApp in an oral and maxillofacial surgery department at a major trauma centre and its role during major incidents: our experience

Abstract

WhatsApp (Facebook), which is a popular instant messaging “app” that is available on several platforms globally, allows users to share text, images, and video (and much more) over an end-to-end encrypted connection. We have investigated its use among the oral and maxillofacial surgery junior trainees’ WhatsApp group at King’s College Hospital, a level one trauma centre in London, and reviewed existing studies. On five of the seven days analysed, there were 191 communications. Most (n = 127, 67%) were related to administrative issues and patient care (n = 62, 33%). Only two (1%) related to neither and were classified as “other”. No communications were sent to the group over the weekend. WhatsApp is a popular means of communication among junior trainees within our department, and can be used to send concise information to several people at once, often more quickly than by telephone, pager, or email. The technology, however, should be used carefully, and it raises important questions on confidentiality, which have recently been addressed by the medical director of the NHS in the wake of its use as a “cascade mechanism” during major terrorist incidents. We also discuss the potential value of emerging methods of communication that have been specifically designed for use in healthcare.