Efficacy of communication amongst staff members at plastic and reconstructive surgery section using smartphone and mobile WhatsApp

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of smartphone and its WhatsApp application as a communication method amongst the staff of plastic and reconstructive surgery section at tertiary care health facility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2012 onwards, the authors used smartphones and its WhatsApp application as a communication method amongst their team for various aspects of patient management and as a tool for academic endorsements. RESULTS: During the period of this study, there were 116 episodes regarding patient management, which were handled, in a timely fashion by using this application. In addition opinion of rotating residents in the section was sought regarding the efficacy of this method of communication. Overall majority of residents were satisfied with this mode of communication. CONCLUSIONS: This new method of communication is an effective method for clinical and academic endorsements. The method is cheap and quick and easy to operate.