MI-ND Medical Information–News Delivery: Providing Health Care Professionals With Medical Information “Proactively” by Using MessengerPeople

Abstract

Background

Health care professionals (HCPs) are increasingly accessing electronic and digital medical information as shown by many research results. Through the use of everyday messaging applications, such as WhatsApp, it is possible to reach HCPs while they are in their work environment. This proactive communication has the potential to expand the knowledge basis of HCPs to deal with various medical conditions and in addition to enable pharmacists to have constant access to drug information.

Methods:

A web self-service portal was launched in 2013. This online service has been well accepted. So in 2017 it was decided to expand offerings with a “proactive channel” to share relevant news with HCPs: MI-ND, that is, Medical Information–News Delivery. For the MI-ND portal, the Internet-based communication tool WhatsApp was chosen because of its wide acceptance also among HCPs. To take part at this MI-ND service, HCPs are able to subscribe after confirmation of their HCP status with a simple WhatsApp message. The type of information delivered includes authority-approved materials, pharmaceutical information, and supply issues among others.

Results

To date, the acceptance of the new MI-ND service is very good and the number of subscribers is increasing continuously.

Conclusion

The MessengerPeople broadcast MI-ND is actually widely accepted and appreciated. It presents a modern system for the distribution of pertinent information in a more proactive manner. In addition, this electronic messaging system has the potential to be useful for upcoming communication initiatives for Medical Information.