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ARTICLE · 19 FEBRUARY 2018

Whatsapp Doc: Legal And Practical Perspectives Of Using Mobile Messaging

Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya LLP
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Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP

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With General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force in Spring 2018, our guest columnists explore the legal and practical implications of using mobile messengers in the healthcare sector and finding a balance between convenience and compliance.

United KingdomPrivacy
Adam Rose
Adam Rose
Stefania Littleboy
Stefania Littleboy

With General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force in Spring 2018, our guest columnists explore the legal and practical implications of using mobile messengers in the healthcare sector and finding a balance between convenience and compliance.

Research published in BMJ Innovations found a widespread use of WhatsApp for communication between healthcare professionals. According to the study, 97% of surveyed doctors routinely send patient information on instant messenger without consent, despite the fact 68% were concerned about sharing information in this way.

Having reviewed over 100 clinician-led studies, there are clear advantages to using a mobile messenger service like WhatsApp in a clinical setting, such as more efficient spreading of medical knowledge and overcoming inefficient hierarchical barriers within clinical teams.

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