WhatsApp as an Informal Telemedicine Platform During The COVID-19 Pandemic
2Day Hospitalization Department, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel
3Pediatrics A, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel
4The Institute of Nephrology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel
5Sackler School of Medicine,, Tel-Aviv University
Background: Pediatric emergency department visits and hospitalizations declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of whatsApp as an informal Telemedicine platforms is high among pediatricians. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of COVID -19 pandemic on the frequency of informal telemedicine consultations.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study conducted in Israel from August to November 2019 and from April to May 2020 (During COVID19 lockdown). Data were obtained through questionnaires filled by pediatricians. The frequency of WhatsApp consultations, clinical features and recommendations given, were compared between these two time periods.
Results: A total of 304 pediatricians with median age of 37 years (range 27-74) filled questionnaire during 2019; A total of 113 pediatricians with median age of 38 (28-71) filled questionnaire during the COVID-19 lockdown period. We didn`t find any significant differences in the frequency of what’sApp consultations per physician between the two periods.
In the COVID19 period physicians were less prone to recommend on going to the ER or primary clinics (p<0.001). There were no differences in the type of clinical consultations or treatment options the physicians gave.
Conclusions: Informal telemedicine consultations via WhatsApp application did not increase in frequency during the COVID19 lockdown. Possible explanations could be increased use of formal telemedicine platforms and lower rates of morbidity.
Key Words: WhatsApp, Telemedicine, pediatrician, COVID 19