Brazilian Medical Council authorises the use of WhatsApp
The Brazilian Medical Council has authorised registered medical practitioners to use WhatsApp and similar applications to exchange non-identified patient information, including images, with other practitioners within closed user groups and communicate with patients. Restrictions remain on using WhatsApp or other applications such as video conferencing to consult directly with patients, although a debate has begun in Brazil on the need to changes these rules.
In Brazil WhatsApp is a widely used means of communication because telephone calls and SMS messages between multiple Brazilian Mobile operators and between Brazilian states are chargeable while WhatsApp uses mobile data allowances. So while possibly recognising an already existing practice this decision represents a significant step for Brazilian telehealth.
Brazil has one of the largest telehealth networks in the world and Brazilian clinicians are already huge users of diagnostic, second opinion and internet based medical education to support health services, especially in primary care. In the acute sector more than 50 national “special interest groups” in many disciplines make an important contribution to improving medical knowledge. See more information here ( in Portuguese)
Alan Taylor Associate Lecturer, CEng MIET, RPEng (IT&T).
Flinders University, Endevour Fellow, Brazil
Vice President Australasian Tealehealth Society http://www.aths.org.au/
Congratulations to In Line Medical and Dental who are an ATHS Corporate member on their appearance on the Australia by Design innovation show. Great to see telehealth being considered from a design perspective
Australia by Design Innovation is a brand new television series that aims to bring good design into the hearts and minds of Australians.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The University of Queensland's Centre for Online Health in conjunction with the Australasian Telehealth Society is pleased to invite abstract submissions for the 2018 Successes and Failures in Telehealth (SFT-18).
The scientific committee particularly encourages submissions relating to the clinical use of telehealth across a range of settings including tertiary level centres, small rural hospitals, general practice, residential aged care facilities, in the home and within Indigenous communities.
PRESENTATION OPTIONS:
Scientific Papers
Case Studies and Clinical Reports
SFT Workshop (NEW!)
IMPORTANT DATES
Submissions Close: Monday 14 May 2018
Peer-Review of Submissions: 21 May - 4 June 2018
Notification to Authors: June 2018
Invited Manuscripts (if selected for JTT special issue) due: Monday 6 August 2018
Final Abstracts and/or JTT manuscripts due: 3 September 2018
