Society

Healthcare in Brazil? Hit me up on WhatsApp

It’s no secret that present-day Brazil is reliant on WhatsApp and other instant messaging services. With an estimated 62 percent of the population on WhatsApp, people hold all sorts of important conversations on mobile communication apps. Journalists interview their sources, major football clubs negotiate million-dollar player transfers, and even members of the current government have reportedly sent out meeting invitations via WhatsApp.

The use of instant messaging as a tool to bring companies closer to their customers is equally ubiquitous. Do you need to schedule a bath for your dog? Ping your groomer on WhatsApp. They’ll even send you a photograph of your fluffy friend when he is ready to be collected.

But what about healthcare? Would you be comfortable having a medical consultation via WhatsApp? Perhaps taking a photo of that mysterious rash on your stomach, asking “does this look infected?” followed by a screaming emoji?

This comes under the vast umbrella of what is known as “telemedicine,” which broadly involves the use of telecommunications and information technology...

Euan Marshall

Originally from Scotland, Euan Marshall traded Glasgow for São Paulo in 2011. Specializing in Brazilian soccer, politics, and the connection between the two, he authored a comprehensive history of Brazilian soccer entitled “A to Zico: An Alphabet of Brazilian Football.”

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