Abstract

OBJECTIVES
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.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Chu SK, Woo M, King RB, Choi S, Cheng M, Koo P

Institution

Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. samchu@hku.hk

Source

Health information and libraries journal 29:1 2012 Mar pg 47-60

MeSH

Cooperative Behavior
Diffusion of Innovation
Hong Kong
Humans
Information Dissemination
Information Services
Interdisciplinary Communication
Internet
Libraries, Medical
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22335289