Teleconsultation Platforms Versus WhatsApp Consultations: Evaluating Patients and Physicians' Attitudes

Background: Since the 1990s, society has witnessed a surge in information and communication technologies that extended to the health care system. Teleconsultation platforms have become widely established tools that provide an opportunity for emerging countries such as Lebanon to expand and advance health care services. However, their use in Lebanon remains limited considering many people's preference to resort to nonmedical platforms such as WhatsApp for consultations. Methods: The purpose of this mixed-method study is to evaluate patients' and physicians' attitudes toward teleconsultation platforms versus WhatsApp consultations in Lebanon. In the quantitative component, 1,467 patients were administered a self-developed questionnaire, while in the qualitative component, a semistructured interview was conducted with 14 physicians practicing in Lebanon. Results: Results revealed that teleconsultation platforms and WhatsApp are not interchangeable. Patients' and physicians' experiences, perceptions, and satisfaction with teleconsultation platforms and WhatsApp are discussed. Conclusions: Individual and governmental recommendations for safer, more controlled, and more ethical online consultation practices are provided for both physicians and patients, through both modalities.