ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2024
Towards 'Formalising' WhatsApp Teledermatology Practice in KZ-N District Hospitals: Key Informant Interviews.
Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Telemedicine Adoption and Prospects in Sub-Sahara Africa: A Systematic Review with a Focus on South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionDistrict 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.
aimTo 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.
methodsKey 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.
resultsFive 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.
conclusionsThese 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.
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