How to Utilize WhatsApp Business API for the Healthcare Industry

WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare benefits the medical department to deal with as well as treat their patient data. The Department of Hospitals and Healthcare can transfer patient reports and manage records through WhatsApp. These days, everyone likes to endeavor efficient and easy communication media like WhatsApp.

People do not wish to stand in long queues to get a mere appointment, thus, booking online medical appointments and virtual consultations with healthcare providers with the help of the WhatsApp Business API is easier to do with this one than many others. I note that in real-time, performing online appointments through the WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare is effortless.

Do you wish to use WhatsApp for any of the activities of the hospital? Many healthcare sectors are using WhatsApp for Healthcare to check reports of patients and generate an appointment. 

With high-quality medical services, telesolutions are required nowadays. In general, because of the popularity of the application, hospitals adopted it. The Best Practice Guide to WhatsApp: WhatsApp for hospitals/WhatsApp for Healthcare will take you through several cases of WhatsApp for hospitals.

What Is WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare?

WhatsApp Business API for healthcare refers to the deployment of WhatsApp as a channel to exchange information and interconnectivity between healthcare professionals, patients, and other entities in the healthcare industry.

With the high use of smartphones, people look for the easiest and most suitable app for their daily communication, which is WhatsApp for more than 2 billion users. This is an opportunity that could help in linking the patients with the medical department via the medium they use most. 

Therefore, hospitals have embraced all these aspects of WhatsApp to offer the best care to their patients. Let’s understand this with an example: One such example is UMP Healthcare Holdings Limited, which has recently launched an innovative WhatsApp appointment system. 

This idea is effective for customers since they can review medical histories and promptly make an appointment without much pressure on a hospital’s staff. 

So, let’s study what opportunities for delivering healthcare services are hidden in WhatsApp’s infinite depth!

1. WhatsApp for Healthcare is a perfect fit for other traditional marketing approaches.

SMS is kept alive and well through the use of smartphones, and people use WhatsApp to chat with friends and families across the world making the app global. This suggests that healthcare experts can interact with patients on a medium that they are already comfortable utilizing.

Indeed, using it may be quite practical since patients of a clinic or hospital, regardless of their geographic location, most probably communicate through the WhatsApp application already. The use of WhatsApp in medical communication can also be advantageous because it provides end-to-end encryption. 

This means that messages received through WhatsApp are only visible to the sender and the recipient. Therefore, it is a secure social network where users can share personal data, such as medical history. End-to-end encryption guarantees that patient data is kept private and secure from unauthorized access, giving patients and healthcare professionals peace of mind.

The following is a description of the various advantages of using the application over the traditional communication modes, namely; phone and email in the healthcare industry. For instance, WhatsApp helps simplify the task of passing complicated medical info by sharing files and voice notes, pictures, and videos with other willing practitioners. 

Moreover, WhatsApp messages can be stored, searched, and retrieved in case of need and on the messages, there is a record of the patient’s medical history. Last but not least, WhatsApp’s real-time communication allows medical professionals to respond to patient inquiries promptly, cutting down on wait times and raising patient satisfaction.

2.WhatsApp for Healthcare with business and commerce policies.

To ensure that they are well equipped to use the WhatsApp Business API for Health Care, the health care providers ought to analyze WhatsApp Commerce policies and regulations. To avoid violation of these terms it becomes important to observe the following requirements to avert having your account suspension or even terminated. 

You must first get the patients’ permission to receive WhatsApp notifications. This can be done by asking the patient to select willingness to use WhatsApp messages as a reminder of their appointments at the time of booking the appointments. 

The information must also be transmitted securely under the utilization of end-to-end encryption, and the healthcare providers have to ensure that they only exchange information that is necessary and relevant for the treatment of the patient. 

In conformity with all applicable rules and regulations, patient data must be safeguarded and maintained in confidence. Also, the treatment must cause only legal healthcare use of WhatsApp and can not be used for marketing or promotion. 

Healthcare practitioners can guarantee the safe and secure transfer of medical information over WhatsApp by adhering to these policies. Let’s now go through some best practices that healthcare businesses need to be aware of.

7 Benefits of WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare

By changing the guidelines, adding new features, and expanding lists of services offered to healthcare organizations and a hospital in particular, WhatsApp Business API allows the healthcare and hospital industry to significantly boost the growth rate and improve the management of patients.

In a recent statement the brand said that it would enable customers to get significant information on COVID-19, the brand had announced that it would allow pharmacists to share medical service updates via the WhatsApp Business App. 

The extended capabilities include the ability to send customized updates on a person’s status for the vaccines. The ability to make appointments for testing and the administration of the vaccines are on the menu for pharmacies that offer medical services and they will soon be available for all pharmacies. Pharmacies can also accumulate WhatsApp Chatbots to enable them to address some of the usual inquiries such as vaccine information, or appointment follow-ups.

The use of WhatsApp means that healthcare organizations enrich patient experience and optimize patient communication by adapting to each patient’s needs. 

Consequently, the perceived advantages of implementing WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare are stated in this section. The top 7 benefits of using WhatsApp for Healthcare are:

1. Encrypted and safe use

WhatsApp Business API for healthcare works with a provided method for end-to-end encryption and secure sharing and communication. All the data has been retained securely on the cloud.

2. Fast delivery of service

Compared to other mentioned methods, WhatsApp does not take long for you to get your service. If you wish to be patient, it would not take very long. Finally, by tapping into the use of WhatsApp, healthcare providers can set up at least an initial conversation, to afford patients an instant response.

3. Comfortable communication

Every user can conveniently communicate with another as is the most used single platform. 

The messages are sent to users securely. Using WhatsApp for hospitals can add businesses and patients in a low-key manner.

4. Personalized attention

From time to time, it is very easy to personalize one chat since every WhatsApp account is unique.

5. Automation

Since the WhatsApp Business API is capable of handling chatbots, the option helps the organization when the human staff cannot cope with the number of patient inquiries.

6. Lack of judgment and patience

Because chatbots are software, they are objective, polite, and lack any judgment, which could be a source of stress for many patients.

7. Save time and enhance efficiency.

The most crucial factor for businesses is that it prevents time wastage and enhances service delivery. Some of the healthcare routines done through WhatsApp Business API include; appointment reminders, confirmations, and rescheduling bookings. This also saves time and you can always use it to develop a better quality of care for your patients. 

Consider if your patients can book the consultation at 2 am without being required to talk to anyone. The booking procedure becomes more manageable for patients and, at the same time, you can focus on making some other aspects of your operations easier.

WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare Use Cases

Suppose you use a WhatsApp chatbot or flowbot. In that case, WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare is always the best because it saves time and costs more than the workforce. 

Integrating WhatsApp chatbot into your hospital system enables you to address patients’ concerns as regards appointments, consultation or treatment, and so on. 

The ability to converse using WhatsApp is good for patients at any time of the day, and it makes them think they are being attended to one-on-one. It is valuable to know how to communicate and answer using WhatsApp chatbot. 

In any case, if there are difficult questions, the composite team will be able to solve them for you. As explained, it was easy to work within the WhatsApp business cases since the team’s dynamics allowed working on the cases at the same time.

1. Scheduling appointments

Irrespective of the field in which one practices, the patients may at one-time call or email to book an appointment. Since they can acquire your email due to a doctor’s email list database it is quite usual for them to be able to phone you at specific dates or even flood your inbox. The outcome?

Patients also spend quite a lot of time because your team feels the pressure to attend to the calls as early as possible. At the same time, your staff isn’t able to assist other patients at the facility directly, therefore it will be important to consider the above-stated factors keenly. There must be a faster method.

You can effectively set up appointments using WhatsApp. A WhatsApp chatbot may host every conversation and it can schedule appointments with just a script.  This saves your team a ton of time.

This frees up a lot of time for your staff and makes it simple for patients to schedule appointments. Additionally, there will be a clear understanding. The data is recorded for the patient.

For example:

“Hey there, I’m your assistant. How can I help you? To meet your requirements, select any of the options below.

• 1. Book an appointment
• 2. Confirm an appointment
• 3. Cancel an app
• 4. Reschedule your appointment

To go with any option, send the respective number option.”

2. Confirm appointments

Often patients have to provide more focus to appointments, inscribe the schedule inappropriately, or come in after the appointed time.  Both time and money are being wasted. What if you call or post messages to patients regarding their appointments one day in advance?

There can be a guarantee that the Patient will attend, reschedule, or cancel in advance because  WhatsApp bulk messages have a 99% open rate. Some of the features you can take advantage of with WhatsApp Business may include giving automatic reminders to patients to honor their appointments. In Getgabs, you need to set up the message once before letting automation take care of the rest.

For example:

“Dear patient, this is a reminder message of your today appointment. Please come with your reports at the scheduled time. See you on time!”

3. Share report results

As a result, there is a very high open rate of WhatsApp Business API messages. It is easier to know that your patients will be able to go through any information you forward to their WhatsApps. Dialling individuals on personal phones takes a lot more time and has the possibility of a voicemail. 

The patients who need treatment in your facility right now can maximize that time much better.  WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare can be used to share findings securely.
Previously taken test results can also be sent to patients by text message. In this way, they can then schedule a follow-up consultation if required.  Or you could offer them advice. In Getgabs you can have a substantial message or, better yet, a chatbot to share the results.

For example:

“Hey there! Here is the link to your blood test result which was performed yesterday. We’re always available to help you. Feel free to get us anytime!”

4. Collects patient data

Patients may be asked to fill out a questionnaire or form depending on the type of treatment you give out.  You are provided with all the knowledge necessary for effective treatment. Before embracing therapy at the clinic, one can permit the patients to do this. Alternatively, operate WhatsApp Business API to obtain the information in advance.

WhatsApp data collection is faster than any other traditional means and supplies all the data that you need. This means that when using Getgabs, the patient will be notified automatically on WhatsApp Business about a provided questionnaire before the treatment, just like the appointment reminder. 

For example:

“Hello Mr. Devin, we hope you are doing well. We’re doing a health survey, if you have some time, we would like to get some information from you. Please fill out this form to share your feedback. Thanks!”

5. Consultation and prescription reminders

People are often prescribed medication for a definite period. This can lead to a situation where a patient needs a new dose the moment the drug gives out.  Reminders for medicines can be sent to patients through WhatsApp. It not only feels personal, but it also gives the patient a chance to ask questions. You can also notify the patients of such changes at the same time. 

For example:

“Hello, it’s been a week since you visited your doctor. We have made the changes in the prescription. You can take a new dose of medicine in the next three days. See you!”

6. Government scheme claims

Are you a provider of insurance? I notice that sometimes patients face quite several difficulties when it comes to moving from treatment to claim. The procedure may already be available on your Website, but implementing it via WhatsApp makes it even easier. 

Patients can send claims on WhatsApp, find out which services are allowed, and track their remaining treatment plans.  Several back-and-forth texts were all it took. When you have set this procedure in Getgabs, all you will do is to watch the chatbot speak to the public. 

For example:

Hello, Mrs. Sharma. Thank you for visiting us. How can we provide our services to help you? Please select from the available choices.

• Upload claim
• Check coverage
• Track claims

7. Send payments link

When it comes to paying for medical services you can only sometimes let the patient pay right away. It’s different from getting new jeans. The invoice may sometimes have to go via a week or so later. You can do this via WhatsApp or even with the traditional post office letter. You can even link them or put a QR code so that they can pay immediately. And that makes the order or payment process faster and is a lot less time-consuming! 

For example:

“Hii, thanks for visiting our clinic. Please find the attached invoice for your treatment. If there is any due, please process the payment. If you face any transaction issues with the link, let us know.”

8. Collect feedback

The attitudes of patients towards the care given to them should be known. It has a marketing function as people pursue its acquisition, and it also helps to indicate future directions for improvement. Leaving a survey on the desk is also valid after a procedure, but WhatsApp is a much more effective means of receiving an answer from a patient. People are more comfortable typing in the survey than they will be for conducting it in person, through the mail, or even through email.

For example:

“Hello [name]. If you like our service, please leave your valuable feedback with us.”

How To Use WhatsApp Business API For Healthcare

For the providers to work in WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare, they have to integrate the API into their medical system. Moreover, healthcare professionals have to create a WhatsApp group chat with patients to allow them to support one another, share information, as well as participate in group discussions. 

WhatsApp for Healthcare is a platform that offers patients general health-related details and guidance on living a healthy lifestyle with the ultimate perspective of promoting wellness and averting illness.

To gain better control of the hospital industry, you should integrate the hospital with WhatsApp Business API for healthcare and WhatsApp chatbot to deal with the patients’ inquiries and treatment efficiently.

 There are several key steps to be applied while asking about health through the platform, and we will describe them below.

1. Appointment reminders

Taking advantage of the features of WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare, it is quite simple to organize an appointment successfully, eliminating the no-shows problem and helping patients to make an appointment.

2. Patient Education

In this way, the professionals can categorize the information provided to the patients into treatment, diseases, text handouts, videos, brochures, and flyers as well as posters. An innovative tool for creating educative and visually appealing material is as easy as using WhatsApp.

3. Prescription refills

As a result, patients can request prescription refills in comfortable positions, and at the same time, the workload of the medical team is reduced using WhatsApp Business API.

4. Telemedicine consultations

With the help of WhatsApp, video calls schedule safe telemedicine consultations, which value privacy acts and can provide remote diagnosis and treatment.

5. Support groups

Using the groups of WhatsApp through which patients with certain diseases can discuss, share their experiences, and support each other emotionally.

6. Health advice and updates

Through patients’ knowledge and integration of details about their health, the healthcare industry can let people know the latest health advice and improvements.

7. Emergency alerts

Healthcare practitioners can confirm the patient’s safety by informing the patient of vital details,-recall, update, or an emergency.

8. Automated chatbots

The use of WhatsApp chatbots as an online platform to reply to frequently asked questions by patients enhances patient engagement by reducing response times.

WhatsApp Business API For Healthcare: Get With Getgabs

Because of its single platform and accessibility at a cheaper price, businesses often integrate with the patient through the WhatsApp Business API. WhatsApp Business API solution is designed for businesses and large corporations. Since it is simply an API, it has to be combined with other applications for managing customer conversations like the getgabs.  

Getgabs WhatsApp Business API may be worthwhile for care businesses due to the improved automation, multi-channel communication, and more features that purposely help healthcare providers make patient communication seamless and deliver higher-quality care with less effort.  Here’s how to use Getgabs to improve patient experiences on WhatsApp.

To enhance the level of patient experience, Getgab’s omnichannel inbox allows to engage with patients on multiple messaging channels, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and many others.

 An omnichannel inbox helps every patient to have their entire consultation history gathered from various platforms with their talks combined. For doctors to quickly look at prior messages to get context of a patient’s complaints, is now possible.

Any patient can type any message to them and get a generalized response in return, so before responding to the current message, inquire about patient history and anything else so that patients can be sure they are receiving personalized care that is specific to their situation.

Tips to Use WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare

• Create customized welcome messages so patients may get in touch with you right away and use your services and information.
• If you don’t already have your patients’ phone numbers, provide a simple link that they may use to begin a private WhatsApp chat with you. In posts on your Facebook page, in emails, or any other offline channels, share the link. 
• Lease, and utilize encrypted video and audio conferences as a means of communication with clients or other officials who can hardly be accessed physically.
• Sending the same private message to multiple recipients or contacts makes use of the broadcast list. 
• In your WhatsApp, the broadcast message will only be delivered to persons they have stored in their phone book and saved as a contact. 
• Your WhatsApp broadcast message will only be sent to contacts who have added you to their phone’s address book in WhatsApp.
• Retain copies of the typical messages you send, to facilitate quick and informative responses to patients’ questions. 
• Make sure your patients are knowledgeable of your location and business hours, specifically if either has been modified.
• Status allows you to post text, image, and video updates. Discuss how to stay clean and other measures probably in the event of flu-like illnesses going around.
• As emphasized during the busy, signal an automatic away statement to help the clients understand when they might get responses from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you use WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare?

A. WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare and hospitals may elect to utilize whatsapp to publish communiques and interoperability between healthcare personnel and patients as well as other firms in the healthcare industry.

Q2. What is the use of WhatsApp API for hospitals?

A. The WhatsApp Business API can be integrated into healthcare organizations’ communication for Easy access to patient medical records Appointment reminders Collaborative research Fast resolutions, etc.

Q3. Is WhatsApp safe to use for the healthcare industry?

A. End-to-end encryption is another important advantage of utilizing WhatsApp for medical communication. This means that messages received via the use of the WhatsApp application can only be seen by the sender and the receiver. Therefore, it is safe to use for sharing other personal details like medical records.

Q4. How can we integrate WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare?

A. The Getgabs’ omnichannel inbox platform ensures that healthcare professionals can engage with patients on different modes of communication which include common modes of communication like WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger among others to improve the levels of patient satisfaction.

Q5. Can you send appointment reminders to patients through WhatsApp?

A. Some of the features you can take advantage of with WhatsApp Business may include giving automatic reminders to patients to honor their appointments. Well, you can be certain that the patient will turn up, reschedule, or even cancel in advance to do so because WhatsApp messages are opened 99% of the time.

Conclusion

WhatsApp Business API for Healthcare has many offers and Convenience factors convenient for medical departments to manage easily. The best care for patients demands something more than just procedures and diagnoses for any healthcare provider. 

Effective communication is necessary at every stage of the healthcare process. As in any other business, communication is key in the healthcare sector, where a health center may be communicating with another health center on patient details or individual doctors and specialists when coming up with a definite line of treatment to offer their patients. 

The study shows that implementing strong communication policies can be beneficial for patients while inadequate policies negatively affect patients’ health. It will be pertinent for healthcare organizations to note that with the help of WhatsApp Business API, it becomes extremely easy for them to manage their communication and interact with their stakeholders and potential clients, and all of this can be done at any time.