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Towards ‘Formalising’ WhatsApp Teledermatology Practice in KZ-N District Hospitals: Key Informant Interviews

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Morris

    (Department of TeleHealth, School of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • Richard E. Scott

    (Department of TeleHealth, School of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
    Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada)

  • Maurice Mars

    (Department of TeleHealth, School of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

Abstract

Introduction: District hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, do not have onsite specialist dermatology services. Doctors at these hospitals use WhatsApp instant messaging to informally seek advice from dermatologists and colleagues before possible referral. They have expressed the need to formalise WhatsApp teledermatology. Aim: To determine the views and perspectives of clinicians on the feasibility and practicality of formalising the current WhatsApp-based teledermatology activities within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Dermatology Service. Methods: Key informant interviews with 12 purposively selected doctors at district hospitals and all 14 dermatologists in the KwaZulu-Natal dermatology service. Their views and perspectives on formalising the current informal use of WhatsApp for teledermatology were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Results: Five primary themes (communication, usability, utility, process, and poor understanding of legal, regulatory, and ethical issues) and 22 sub-themes were identified. Clinicians wanted WhatsApp teledermatology to continue, be formalised, and be incorporated within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, facilitated by the provision of practical guidelines addressing legal, regulatory, and ethical issues. Conclusions: These findings will be used to develop a policy brief, providing recommendations and proposed guidelines for formalising the teledermatology service. The findings and methods will be relevant to similar circumstances in other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Morris & Richard E. Scott & Maurice Mars, 2024. "Towards ‘Formalising’ WhatsApp Teledermatology Practice in KZ-N District Hospitals: Key Informant Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:10:p:1388-:d:1503135
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thabiso Moeti & Tholang Mokhele & Gina Weir-Smith & Simangele Dlamini & Solomon Tesfamicheal, 2023. "Factors Affecting Access to Public Healthcare Facilities in the City of Tshwane, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Christopher Morris & Richard E. Scott & Maurice Mars, 2021. "WhatsApp in Clinical Practice—The Challenges of Record Keeping and Storage. A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Hennink, Monique & Kaiser, Bonnie N., 2022. "Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    4. Hampshire, Kate & Mwase-Vuma, Tawonga & Alemu, Kassahun & Abane, Albert & Munthali, Alister & Awoke, Tadesse & Mariwah, Simon & Chamdimba, Elita & Owusu, Samuel Asiedu & Robson, Elsbeth & Castelli, Mi, 2021. "Informal mhealth at scale in Africa: Opportunities and challenges," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    5. Christopher Morris & Richard E. Scott & Maurice Mars, 2022. "An Audit and Survey of Informal Use of Instant Messaging for Dermatology in District Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-11, June.
    6. Christopher Morris & Richard E. Scott & Maurice Mars, 2022. "A Survey of Telemedicine Use by Doctors in District Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
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