Doctors exchange experiences on Whatsapp

Doctors from several Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup host cities, including those working in the venues, are using a chat group on smartphone application Whatsapp to share information and experiences during the tournament. Most medics are surgeons, intensive care workers, anesthesiologists and pediatricians from public hospitals and the Mobile Emergency Attendance Service (“SAMU”).

After the fire in the city of Santa Maria, in Rio Grande do Sul [an accident that left 242 people dead and 116 wounded], we saw that the resources available today are key to mobilize teams in different places,” Fraga pointed out.Gustavo Fraga, president of the Brazilian Society for the Integrated Assistance to the Traumatized (“SBAIT”), explained that as soon as a match ends, health professionals share data like the number of patients cared for and those taken to a hospital. Headaches associated with high blood pressure, intoxication, diarrhea and alcohol abuse are one of the most often reported cases.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira