title: Evaluation of a discussion forum for knowledge sharing among emergency practitioners: a social network approach.
abstract: Peer to peer knowledge sharing is recognized as a key contributor to the development of expert practice for health care professionals. Emergency departments with access to extensive expertise, such as in urban hospital settings, present greater potential for rich collaborative learning opportunities as compared with rural settings where expertise is at times scarce. Collaborative technologies such as electronic discussion boards may assist in leveling the "knowledge" playing field and increase opportunities for the growth of a strong social network for emergency clinicians. A social network perspective is used to explore the effectiveness of a discussion forum to support knowledge sharing among emergency practitioners in rural and urban emergency departments in Nova Scotia.
authors.affiliation: CIHR Child Health Clinician Scientist Training Program, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada. janet.curran@iwk.nshealth.ca
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: Syed Sibte Raza
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Abidi
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009674:Nova Scotia; D010379:Peer Group; D012944:Social Support