[Implementing a secure instant messaging app in the COVID-19 pandemic: Usage experiences of primary care physicians and local health authorities]. / Implementierung einer Secure Instant Messaging-App in der COVID-19 Pandemie: Nutzungserfahrungen von Hausärzt*innen und Mitarbeiter*innen von Gesundheitsämtern.

BACKGROUND: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic general practitioners complained about feeling uninformed and lacking a sufficient flow of information from the local health authorities. Secure instant messaging describes a digital, chat-based form of communication enabling ambulatory care providers to connect in real-time and share information across medial sectors. KomPan, a proof-of-concept study, established a secure instant messaging structure in two model regions in Germany to improve communication between general practitioners and local health authorities via an additional communication pathway. This paper presents results of a qualitative user survey. METHODS: We recruited general practitioners (n = 43) and staff of local health authorities (n=10) in two Hessian model regions for using the secure instant messaging (SIM) app of the Famedly GmbH, starting in December 2020 (2nd COVID-19 wave). We asked participants to share their usage experiences after a usage time of multiple months. In guided telephone interviews, we primarily asked how communication between the two user groups had changed while using secure instant messaging. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We conducted ten interviews with general practitioners and two with staff of the participating local health authorities. Using our SIM-based platform promoted professional exchange between general practitioners. In contrast, the app had little impact on communication between local health authorities and general practitioners. Opposing expectations and usage patterns of the two user groups, among other reasons, probably led to a reduced direct trans-sectoral communication via secure instant messaging. CONCLUSION: Establishing local chat groups for general practitioners was welcomed, especially during the pandemic situation, to improve professional exchange while experiencing challenging working conditions. To use secure instant messaging effectively for trans-sectoral communication a more comprehensive approach seems to be needed, such as digitalisation of institutional communication structures and improved networks of local healthcare providers.