title: Peer-to-peer computing in health-promoting voluntary organizations: a system design analysis.
abstract: A large part of the health promotion in today's society is performed as peer-to-peer empowerment in voluntary organisations such as sports clubs, charities, and trade unions. In order to prevent work-related illness and long-term sickness absence, the aim of this study is to explore computer network services for empowerment of employees by peer-to-peer communication. The 'technique trade-off method was used for the analysis of the system design. A Critical Incident Technique questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of trade union shop stewards (n = 386), and focus-group seminars were arranged where a preliminary set of requirements was discussed. Seven basic requirements were identified and matched to a set of 12 design issues for computer network services, allocating a subset of design issues to each requirement. The conclusion is that the systems design displays an inexpensive and potentially feasible method for peer-to-peer computing in voluntary health-promoting organisations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer and Information Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. magir@ida.liu.se
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irestig
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timpka
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016494:Computer Security / Q000295:instrumentation; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D007750:Labor Unions; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D010379:Peer Group; D012985:Software Design; D014584:User-Computer Interface