A growing number of doctors in the city have taken to technology to treat their patients and update themselves on the latest breakthroughs in medical science.

While some use WhatsApp to follow up on certain cases, others use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to make people aware about the advancements in the medical field.

Dr Sanjeev Kumar at the cardiothoracic department of AIIMS-Patna has been using WhatsApp since the past one month. 'A month ago, a Patna-based boy, who had been selected in the Under-14 cricket team of Jharkhand, came to me with an injury on his hand. As it was important for the boy to attend the camp, I told him to send me a picture of his injury through WhatsApp so that I could keep a check on his condition. The boy attended the camp and sent me his picture through WhatsApp through which I got to know that no vascular surgery was required,' said Sanjeev.

Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, an ophthalmologist and the director of Sanjeevani Eye Hospital, said: 'Around 10 days ago, a patient developed a problem in his eyes during a visit to Delhi. He immediately sent me his picture through WhatsApp andhe also sent me a picture of an earlier prescription following which I prescribed him drugs.'

Dr Utpal Anand, a gastroenterologist with Paras HMRI Hospital, said he frequently uses Facebook and WhatsApp because both help him to spread information related to his work. 'On Facebook, I usually provide posts about critical surgeries I have done at my hospital. I use WhatsApp to discuss cases with my colleagues,' said Utpal.

Dr A.K. Thakur, former head of the paediatrics department of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, also happens to be among the lot, who use mobile application and social networking sites. 'I am associated with a paediatricians group on WhatsApp. All of us keep us keep each other updated about our cases and exchange knowledge, which helps in the treatment of patients,' said Thakur.