The use of communication applications in orthopaedics: a scoping review

Effective communication between clinicians is vital in orthopaedic practice, particularly in trauma and emergency care where optimal decision making is necessary. Although communication application use in orthopaedics is common within practice, there is little research to back up its ongoing use. This scoping review aims to synthesise the existing evidence on the use of clinician-to-clinician communication applications in orthopaedic practice, focusing on its prevalence, perceived utility, diagnostic reliability and associated challenges. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. This involved a literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to September 2025. Studies involving clinician-to-clinician communication applications used within orthopaedic care were included. Data was extracted and synthesised using a methodological approach. Seven studies published between 2016 and 2023 were included. The evidence demonstrates widespread adoption of communication applications, particularly WhatsApp, for informal clinical communication, with consistent perceptions that these platforms improve communication efficiency and coordination of care. Four studies evaluating smartphone transmitted radiographic images reported good to excellent intraobserver diagnostic agreement when compared with Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). Significant limitations were also identified, including reduced image quality, physical usability constraints and inconsistent documentation resulting in substantial patient data governance and confidentiality concerns. Communication applications function as informal adjuncts to clinical communication in orthopaedic practice, driven by clinical necessity. While they support rapid consultation and decision making, their use remains limited by governance, data security, and integration challenges. Future efforts should focus on developing clinician centred communication systems that align usability with regulatory compliance, enabling safe and structured integration into orthopaedic care pathways.