Professional's Information Link (PiL): a web-based asynchronous consultation service.
Despite the massive growth of on-line information resources, many clinicians still prefer to obtain information from other clinicians, particularly those to whom they refer patients. Based on this notion and an information needs assessment, we developed the Professional's Information Link (PiL), a Web-based asynchronous consultation service to facilitate question answering between rural clinicians and an academic medical center. The system aims to provide answers to questions within two working days. It also includes patient handouts and continuing medical education resources. Our preliminary evaluation demonstrates modest but enthusiastic use of the system.
Hersh
William
W
Division of Medical Informatics & Outcomes Research, Oregon Health and Science University, School of Medicine, Portland, OR, USA.
Miller
Robin
R
Olson
Daniel
D
Sacherek
Lynetta
L
Cross
Ping
P
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D020407:Internet; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009922:Oregon; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019114:Remote Consultation; D019035:Rural Health Services; D017216:Telemedicine