How WhatsApp can help you stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Health Care Professionals
During this time of heightened uncertainty and isolation, you can connect with your patients and colleagues on WhatsApp—the same tool they are using to stay close to friends and family.
Please use WhatsApp responsibly while connecting with your customers. Only communicate with users you know and those who wish to receive messages from you, ask customers to save your phone number in their address book, and avoid sending automated or promotional messages to groups. Not following these simple best practices could result in complaints from other users and possibly an account ban.
To best manage multiple questions, feature helpful information like business hours and store frequently used answers, we recommend using the WhatsApp Business app, which is free to download. Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to use the WhatsApp Business app. If you need to move your account from WhatsApp Messenger to the WhatsApp Business app, click here.
Download for your phone
Stay connected with your patients
If you don’t already have patients’ phone numbers, create a short link that patients can use to initiate a private WhatsApp chat with you. Share the link through email, your Facebook page, or any other non-public channel.
Surface helpful recommendations
Consider setting up custom greeting messages so patients get immediate information and resources when they reach out to you.
Share accurate and timely information
Use a broadcast list to send the same private message to several contacts at a time. Only contacts who have added you to their phone’s address book will receive your broadcast message.
Host remote conferences
Use encrypted video and voice calls to connect with patients or colleagues who might be difficult to reach in person.*
Quickly respond to common questions
Save and reuse messages you frequently send to quickly respond to patients’ questions.
Inform and educate your community
By using status, you can post text, photo, and video updates. Share tips on hygiene best practices and other ways to slow the spread of the virus.
Share current business hours
Ensure your patients know when you’re available, especially if you’ve adapted your hours to address current local needs.
Set expectations for response times
During this particularly busy time, let patients know when they can plan on hearing back from you by using an automatic away message.
Keep in touch with your healthcare team
Use groups and group video calls to share the latest outbreak-related updates.
*Each WhatsApp user is responsible for ensuring any use of WhatsApp complies with applicable laws, including healthcare data privacy and security laws. WhatsApp does not arrange or provide healthcare services, and you may not represent that WhatsApp is affiliated with your healthcare practice. WhatsApp is not a substitute for in-person health consultations with patients or for treatment of conditions that need immediate medical attention, and is not to be used as a regulated medical device.
If you have any questions related to the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub, contact us.