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Published:
Aug 6, 2026Keywords:
POPI Act; peer support; WhatsApp group; data breach; referral; privacy; medical data.
Article Details
How to Cite
Swart, M. (2026). Crowdsourcing care: What general practitioner WhatsApp groups get right … and wrong. South African Family Practice, 68(1). Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/safp/article/view/331870
Issue
Section
Opinion (Open Forum)
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Main Article Content
Crowdsourcing care: What general practitioner WhatsApp groups get right … and wrong
Magrietha Swart
Abstract
With the growing use of WhatsApp groups by general practitioners, there are clear pros and cons to their use. Peer support, easing referral and educational opportunities are thereby supported, but at the cost of potential privacy and data protection issues because of the medium and nature of the technology, and potential legal ramifications of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013.
Contribution: The use of such groups requires care and attention, and although especially useful, securing data and confidentiality is a potential cause of concern.
