The social-networking revolution has arrived and the development of new Internet technologies and software programs is making it easier than ever for consumers to find timely, personalized health information online. This exponential technological explosion has caught the attention of the Australian College of Recalcitrant and Archaic Physicians. The ACRAP group are now waking up to the distinct possibility that this ‘inter-web thingy‘ is not just a passing fad and that it may in fact be a useful tool in the development of a deeper understanding of medicine through research and education both at a virtual and physical level.
Technophobic and filled with mistrust relating to the Internet,physicians are stumbling awkwardly into the technological era. Like the patient suffering with Anton’s syndrome we robustly stride forward into this brave new world with ‘impervious denial’ emblazoned on our lofty banners. It is about time we shed these shackles, joined forces and embraced technological advancement…Vive la révolution – Medical Web 2.0
It is fantastic to watch the development (albeit gradual) of traditional static Web sites from static and impenetrable information silos into flourishing and dynamic educational tools equipped with blogs, podcasts, and customized search engines to deliver the most relevant and timely information on health topics. In this regard I am looking forward to the launch of MD Consult Australia in early December. This localised product should open a floodgate of local content and XML feeds to Australian Health professionals.
Copyright 2007 by Scott Shreeve, MD.
Made available under the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution 2.5 License
The recently formed Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation (QEMRF) is a group worthy of mention as they have taken the first tentative steps towards embracing the Internet revolution by ‘joining the online conversation’ heralded by medical research pioneers such as @hleman. They received seed funding of AUS$5Million and will receive AUS$2Million per annum from Queensland Health to support research directed at improving the care of patients in Emergency Departments and to develop Emergency Medicine research capacity in Queensland. QEMRF are developing a multi-relational research grant application system along the lines of the US Scan Grants to stimulate innovative ideas and research development in the field of Emergency Medicine. By reducing the barriers to entry; fostering emerging talent; embracing change and disbanding the shackles of political ring-fencing and local competition QEMRF aim to develop the first Australia-wide open-source research collaboration.
About Mike Cadogan
