title: Examining the application of Web 2.0 in medical-related organisations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study surveyed Web 2.0 application in three types of selected health or medical-related organisations such as university medical libraries, hospitals and non-profit medical-related organisations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty organisations participated in an online survey on the perceived purposes, benefits and difficulties in using Web 2.0. A phone interview was further conducted with eight organisations (26.7%) to collect information on the use of Web 2.0. Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that knowledge and information sharing and the provision of a better communication platform were rated as the main purposes of using Web 2.0. Time constraints and low staff engagement were the most highly rated difficulties. In addition, most participants found Web 2.0 to be beneficial to their organisations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical-related organisations that adopted Web 2.0 technologies have found them useful, with benefits outweighing the difficulties in the long run. The implications of this study are discussed to help medical-related organisations make decisions regarding the use of Web 2.0 technologies.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. samchu@hku.hk
authors.forename: Samuel Kai Wah
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Matsuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Ronnel B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Miffy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koo
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007993:Libraries, Medical; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care