How electronic communication is changing health care

Editor—Russell et al highlight the importance of creating online networks for healthcare professionals to share knowledge in their study of soft networks for bridging the gap between research and practice.¹ However, only a minority of CHAIN members posted messages, and these were apparently to exchange information in response to a “cry for help.” There was little evidence of interactive group discussion.

Online group discussions can potentially result in learning and change in practice because this active process allows integration of tacit and explicit knowledge. This has been increasingly recognised with the development of online networks or “communities,” such as on the National Electronic Library for Health (NeLH), NHS University, and BMJ Learning websites.

However, in our experience of developing four online networks for a variety of healthcare professionals a high reluctance to engage in meaningful online group discussions prevails. This is despite providing online discussion forums that have been structured to allow ease of posting and replying to messages. The potential of online networks for healthcare professionals will be realised only if barriers to online interaction can understood and overcome.