title: Learning and networking: utilization of a primary care listserv by pharmacists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Expanding into new types of practice, such as family health teams, presents challenges for practising pharmacists. The Primary Care Pharmacy Specialty Network (PC-PSN) was established in 2007 to support collaboration among pharmacists working in primary care. The PC-PSN offers to its members a listserv (also referred to as an electronic mailing list) jointly hosted by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize PC-PSN membership and participation in the listserv and to examine how the listserv is used by analyzing questions posted, concerns raised, and issues discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative content analysis was used to examine 1 year of archived PC-PSN listserv posts from the year 2010. Two coders used NVivo software to classify the content of posts. Research team members reviewed and discussed the coding reports to confirm themes emerging from the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 129 people (52.9% of the 244 listserv members registered at the end of the calendar year) posted to the listserv during the study period. These participants worked in various practice settings, with over half residing in Ontario (68/129 [52.7%]). A total of 623 posts were coded. Agreement between coders, for a sample of posts from 10 users, was acceptable (kappa = 0.78). The listserv was used to share information on a diverse set of topics, to support decision-making and acquire solutions for complex problems, and as a forum for mentorship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The qualitative content analysis of the PC-PSN listserv posts for the year 2010 showed that the listserv was a medium for information-sharing and for providing and receiving support, through mentorship from colleagues. Apparent learning needs included effective question-posing skills and application of evidence to individual patients.
authors.affiliation: BSc, BScPharm, is a Clinical Pharmacist, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trinacty
authors.affiliation: BScPhm, PharmD, FCSHP, is the Clinical and Research Coordinator in the Pharmacy Department, Bruyère Continuing Care, Ottawa, Ontario; a Scientist in the Bruyère Research Institute and C T Lamont Centre, Ottawa, Ontario; an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario; and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.affiliation: BSP, MCE, FCSHP, is Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
authors.forename: Theresa J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Schindel
authors.affiliation: BSc, was (at the time of the study) a student in the School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario. She is now a Pharmacy Resident with the Toronto Western Family Health Team, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sunstrum
authors.affiliation: BScPhm, PharmD, MSc, is Research Director and Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and is Scientist and Associate Director, Centre for Evaluation of Medicines, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dolovich
authors.affiliation: BScPhm, PharmD, was (at the time of the study) a Clinical Pharmacist, Summerville Family Health, and Team Assistant Professor (status only), Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. She is now the Second Year Skills Lab Coordinator, College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kennie
authors.affiliation: MBBS, FRACGP, PhD, is Head of School and Professor of General Practice Research in the School of Primary Health Care and Director of the Southern Academic Primary Care Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: BScPhm, PharmD, FCCP, is Associate Director, Practice-Based Education, Ontario College of Pharmacists, Toronto, Ontario; and Professor in Pharmacy Innovation and Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Waite
keywords: listserv; pharmacy; primary care; social media; social networking