WhatsApp Messenger use in oncology: a narrative review on pros and contras of a flexible and practical, non-specific communication tool.

Vittorio Gebbia,Maria Rosaria Valerio,Dario Piazza,Alberto Firenze

doi:10.3332/ecancer.2021.1334

Abstract

The spread of instant messenger systems provides an excellent opportunity and a helpful tool to healthcare professionals. WhatsApp instant messenger use is widely prevalent among health professionals, cancer patients, caregivers and the general population. It is a quick and easy communication tool that may also be used on personal computers and business purposes. WhatsApp instant messenger and other similar tools may be a very useful complement for e-medicine. Instant messaging systems may be helpful, especially in rural areas, in medium- or low-income countries, or to avoid unnecessary travels, improve knowledge and awareness of cancer, monitor home care and support the delivery of home care. The unregulated use of WhatsApp instant messenger requires sound and shared guidelines to assure impeccable professional service. Although a significant number of papers have investigated the roles of social networks in connecting patients to health professionals, there is still a lack of information and scientific data about their uses, benefits and limitations in connecting health providers only for professional communication. The role of instant messenger systems in cancer practice and research needs to be clarified. In this paper, we report a focus on available data, pros and contras of the unregulated use of WhatsApp instant messaging, in the context of e-medicine, as an interprofessional and doctor/patient communication tool in oncology.

Highlights

In the last decade, web-based technology has conquered an ever more significant space in oncology healthcare organisations and scientific research worldwide [1]
We report a focus on available data, pros and contras of the unregulated use of WhatsApp instant messaging (WM), in the context of e-medicine, as an interprofessional and doctor/patient communication tool in oncology
Instant messaging systems in cancer care facilitate improved communication and support between patients, caregivers and clinicians, and a better patient care. These benefits are useful in rural areas and low- and middle-income countries to partially overcome economic and distance barriers to care, in these countries the availability of the Internet and the costs associated with connectivity and devices may be a limitation

Summary

Introduction

Web-based technology has conquered an ever more significant space in oncology healthcare organisations and scientific research worldwide [1]. Scottish researchers reported an analysis of 151 apps targeting people living with and beyond cancer covering various aspects of oncology ranging from disease information and planning medical care to self-monitoring, management strategies and interaction between users and professionals [3, 15]. Very often, oncological health professionals have turned to the use of web-based communication and messaging systems already widespread in the world and well known to most of the possible users.

Results

Conclusion