Physician’s Perception About Patient Communication Using WhatsApp®

Percepção do médico sobre a comunicação com o paciente usando o WhatsApp®

Resumo

Introduction: The use of the WhatsApp® application has become an essential tool in the routine of Brazilian physicians. Due to growing insecurity and ethical dilemmas related to the theme, it is necessary to study the perception of these professionals, to use it as a basis for future regulation. Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe the physician’s perception about the use of WhatsApp® in the physician-patient relationship. Design and settings: This study a cross-sectional of Brazilians physicians from Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP and Centro Universitário das Américas. Methods: Three questionnaires were distributed to 287 physicians in physical or online format, email and Google Forms®, respectively. A descriptive analysis was obtained. Results: Forty-seven (16.37%) physicians (out of 287) participated in the study. About 80.85% (38) use WhatsApp® with patients 80% (29) to clarify doubts. Agility and speed in communication were the main advantages described. A profile of insecurity about legal issues was presented by 25% (9) of the participants, in addition to situations of abuse of use and invasion of privacy by 41.6% (15). 30 (78.9%) considered the use of WhatsApp® ethical and appropriate.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the use of WhatsApp® offers several benefits, even with so many situations generating insecurity among professionals. Most participants reported that they would feel more comfortable if there was prior training, justifying the need for regulation and consensus on how physicians should behave online.