Messaging across borders: WhatsApp as a tool for global burn surgery collaboration
Mollie B Smith1, Cameron Gibson2, Clifford C Sheckter3
1University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan Medical School, 55 North Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
Summary
Mobile instant messaging (MiM) platforms effectively connect global burn surgeons for rapid case consultation. This study shows MiM can improve access to specialized burn care, especially in low-resource settings.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Surgical Innovation
- Digital Health
Background:
- Burn injuries disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), exacerbating disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost.
- A significant deficit in burn care providers per capita exists in LMICs.
- Virtual crowdsourcing shows promise for enhancing patient care in plastic surgery but is underexplored in global burn care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of mobile instant messaging (MiM) as a consultation and connection tool for global burn care.
- To analyze cases discussed within a WhatsApp group of international burn surgeons.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cases from the WhatsApp Burn Surgery Group (November 2018 – December 2023).
- Data collection included consultation metrics, case characteristics, and patient demographics.
- 94 active and past cases were reviewed for content.
Main Results:
- 89% of cases involved active patient management requiring real-time input.
- Median and mean consultation times were 6 and 47 minutes, respectively.
- An average of 8 surgeons responded per case, with craniofacial and hand burns being most common.
Conclusions:
- Mobile instant messaging (MiM) shows encouraging effectiveness as a global burn surgeon consultation platform.
- Further research is needed to fully understand MiM's potential in improving global burn care access.
- This study highlights a low-cost, accessible method for enhancing burn care collaboration worldwide.
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