WhatsApp Mobile Health Platform to Support Fracture Management by Non-Specialists in South Africa

Kauta, Ntambue; Groenewald, Johann; Arnolds, Delroy; Blankson, Benjamin; Omar, Abdelsattar M.; Naidoo, Megan; Chu, Kathryn

doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.09.008

Cited by 25 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…12,17,18 The majority of respondents in our survey agreed that WhatsApp consultations have replaced most referrals of patients to other physicians at least once a week. Previous studies have reported even higher rates, 16,19 thus possibly making WhatsApp also a cost-effective tool, saving time, and resources for both physicians and patients by avoiding unnecessary time and travel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ophthalmologists and WhatsApp: Teleophthalmology is already here

Barayev

Berar

Dotan

et al. 2021

European Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: To estimate the extent of WhatsApp utilization using text and media messages for inter-physician consultations among ophthalmologists (residents and specialists) at various clinical settings and its perceived benefits for ophthalmologists and their patients. We also aimed to detect obstacles that concern ophthalmologists when using WhatsApp as a consultation platform. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered survey through Google Forms, which was sent to 660 practicing ophthalmologists during April to May 2020. Results: One hundred and ninety-two ophthalmologists completed the questionnaire, 151 of which (78.6%) were specialists and 41 (21.4%) were residents. Most ophthalmologists reported using WhatsApp at least once a day for both personal and professional use. Residents reported lower rates of contacting patients using WhatsApp than specialists (1.51 ± 0.98 vs 2.72 ± 1.32, p < 0.001). Respondents reported WhatsApp consultations frequently replaced referrals of patients to other physicians, with a median of once a week. 97.8% of residents and 91.4% of specialists reported the ability to share media is a major advantage of WhatsApp over other medias, followed by rapid responses for consultations. Conclusion: Many ophthalmologists already use WhatsApp as a tool for professional consultations with other providers, mainly thanks to its simplicity and wide availability. Residents use it more frequently than specialists, and ranked it higher when asked how much WhatsApp has improved the clinical setting. Policy makers should address concerns brought up by physicians, such as documentation in medical records and proper compensation for consulting ophthalmologists during and after work hours.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ophthalmologists and WhatsApp: Teleophthalmology is already here

Barayev

Berar

Dotan

et al. 2021

European Journal of Ophthalmology

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“…As a result, the recovery of the upper limb motor function is slower, which reduces the ability to do daily life as well as the enthusiasm for training to a certain extent and prolongs the rehabilitation process of the patients. erefore, the rehabilitation of upper limb motor function has become the key of healing treatment for acute stroke patients [17][18][19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Continuous Care Combined with Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Based on a Continuing Care Health Platform on MBI and FMA Scores of Acute Stroke Patients

Pan

Zang

Wang

et al. 2022

Journal of Healthcare Engineering

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Background and Objective. The study was carried out under the background that out-of-hospital rehabilitation of acute stroke patients is of great importance for the recovery of nerve and limb functions. We aimed to investigate the effects of continuous nursing combined with CIMT by a health platform on the limb motor function and quality of life in acute stroke patients. Methods. 68 acute stroke patients admitted to our hospital from July 2018 to July 2019 were selected as the study participants and divided into group A and group B based on the odd and even numbers of their admission numbers, with 34 cases in each group. Patients in group B accepted the routine rehabilitation exercise, while patients in group A accepted the continuous care combined with constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) under a health platform, so as to compare their upper limb function recovery by the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA) and improved median Barthel index (MBI). Results. The general information of the two groups were not obviously different ( P > 0.05) but comparable; after intervention, the FMA scores (38.42 ± 7.62 vs 31.22 ± 7.25) and MBI scores (78.63 ± 6.52 vs 70.24 ± 6.48) of patients in group A were significantly higher than those of group B ( P < 0.001); the activities of daily living (ADL) and trunk control test (TCT) scores at T1, T2, and T3 of group A were significantly higher than those of group B ( P < 0.05); at 6 months after discharge, the self-concept, self-care skills, self-care, self-responsibility, health knowledge level, and total ability scores of patients in group A were significantly higher than those in group B ( P < 0.05); the Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOL-74) scores after intervention of the two groups were significantly higher than those before intervention ( P < 0.05) and those of group A were significantly higher than those of group B (72.13 ± 4.69 vs 63.19 ± 4.72; P < 0.05); when comparing with group B, group A presented significantly higher walking speed and gait period and lower support phase ( P < 0.05). Conclusion. The combination of continuous care and CIMT under a health platform can effectively promote the rehabilitation of upper limb functions and improve the activities of daily living and trunk control for acute stroke patients, with an effect better than conventional rehabilitation exercises, which is worthy of promotion.

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“…However, while tech-heavy interventions and super-apps may have a great impact on patient outcomes in our context, most healthcare workers can reflect on the direct benefits that mobile phones and IP services bring them and their patients through the most basic requirement for human endeavour and collaboration: easy, instant communication. Thus interventions, much like Sund et al use of WhatsApp group-chat for data collection, 6,22,23 are available to all healthcare workers and their patients immediately. We should use them wisely for the benefit of all.…”

Section: Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%