This study investigated the use of collaborative Web 2.0 technologies like wikis and blogs by health care research teams. A survey found that teams saw wikis as more efficient than email for storing and sharing information. Respondents who were more technically proficient and younger were more likely to use wikis. Similar studies are now examining the use of these tools by community health partnerships and physician research groups.

1. Viewer Learning Objectives Expanded Discussion
1. Describe collaborative, social adaptive, inter- This study investigated the extent to which Web When asked to compare the efficiency of email
active Web 2.0 technologies and recognize 2.0 social technologies are being used by health communication and the use of the wiki for storing,
the benefits and barriers of their use as a care research teams at southwestern universities. organizing and finding information, the majority
means of peer-to-peer health communication As socially adaptive, collaborative Internet tools of respondents indicated that the wiki was better
and information management for a geograph- evolve, health care professionals can leverage than email. Results showed that the higher the level
ically dispersed, interdisciplinary biomedical technology to enhance multidisciplinary collabor- of technical savvy, the more likely a person was to
research Community of Practice (CoP).
ation, increase knowledge sharing, and improve use the wiki, and this typically correlated with age
2. Identify commonly used open source and communication. Wikis, blogs, podcasts, and social and profession.
proprietary collaborative social adaptive networking tools, among others, may prove useful
interactive Web 2.0 information management to improve project management. As of this writing, a similar study has been initiated
systems. for a Community-Based Participatory Research
Currently, the communication toolset among many (CBPR) team developing a pilot intervention to
3. Evaluate the use of collaborative, social research teams consists of face-to-face meetings, allow elders to “age in place.” Preliminary results
adaptive, interactive Web 2.0 technologies photocopied minutes, and passing documents show that adoption and use is more likely if the
in an organization, and, if subsequently back and forth by email. Email is the number project is deadline driven and has funding. Also, a
appropriate, choose one that best fits the one business social software application, with study of seven resident physician research teams is
organization’s communication needs. around 247 billion sent each day in 2009. being conducted, examing the use of a wiki to
While social networking—meetings, conference manage research projects from conception to com-
calls, water-cooler conversations—has always pletion: protocol development, literature review,
been part of organizations, collaboration has collaboration, communication, and reporting.
Web 2.0 Social Technologies:
been ‘docucentric’—excel, word, powerpoint, and
email. The ubiquitous connectivity of Web 2.0
participatory technologies offer a variety of choices Blogs, e.g. Wordpress
for research teams looking to implement more Instant messaging, e.g. Google Chat
advanced technology for collaboration and Internet forums, e.g. PHP Bulletin Board (phpBB)
knowledge creation. Microblogging, e.g. Twitter
Podcasts, e.g. The Podcast Network (TPN)
To determine the adoption rate and extent of Presentation sharing, e.g. Slideshare
use of social technologies in the biomedical Photo/image sharing, e.g. Flickr
research Community of Practice (CoP) studied, Social bookmarking, e.g. Delicious
wiki and email usage analytics were performed. Social networking, e.g. LinkedIn
A questionnaire was developed using Survey Video sharing, e.g. Vimeo
Monkey to measure CoP member perceptions Wikis, e.g. PBworks
about wiki and email use.
Poster image and more details can be found at:
http://www.slideshare.net/MichelleFarabough