WhatsApp and Internet Protocol messaging in healthcare: a transformative opportunity

Authors

  • R Duys University of Cape Town
  • J Park-Ross University of Cape Town
  • D Van Straaten Safe Surgery SA
  • E Grant University of Cape Town
  • C Copley Cedar

Abstract

Mobile messaging platforms (MMP) are increasingly the de facto vehicle for communication in low resource environments. The statistics are striking. Dramatic reductions in the cost of smartphone devices as well as data, mean that an estimated 44% of Africans had access to a smartphone in 2019.1 This is anticipated to grow to 65% by 2025.1 Access among healthcare workers is even higher, with 97% of the researchers approached through the African Perioperative Research Group (APORG) reported having smartphone access (unpublished data).

Author Biographies

R Duys, University of Cape Town

Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, University of Cape Town and Division of Global Surgery, University of Cape Town, South Africa

J Park-Ross, University of Cape Town

Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, University of Cape Town and Division of Global Surgery, University of Cape Town, South Africa

D Van Straaten, Safe Surgery SA

Safe Surgery SA, South Africa

E Grant, University of Cape Town

Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Global Surgery, University of Cape Town, South Africa

C Copley, Cedar

Cedar, United States of America

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Published

2021-05-05

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Editorial

License

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