We are seeking abstracts for additional participants in a workshop titled “Past, Present, and Future Impacts of Communication Technologies on Healthcare Communities” to be presented at the 3rd International Conference on Communities and Technologies Conference at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI from June 28-30, 2007. This workshop is devoted to the use and impact of communication technologies in healthcare communities. In the course of the last two decades, we have seen incredible advancements in the use of communication technologies within the healthcare industry. These technologies have enormous potential to enhance many different sectors within the healthcare community such as promoting patient data availability and access to healthcare providers as well as improving the care of specialized communities of individuals including those with low literacy as well as remote/underserved groups in developing countries. This workshop is devoted to exploring the applications of communication technology in healthcare that have the potential to build and enhance communities of healthcare providers and patients. In addition to exploring different applications, we will also focus on reviews of pertinent research findings, culminating in an interactive discussion between workshop participants focused on setting an agenda for future research that will help to improve the delivery of care and health related information to these specialized communities.

Themes of the Workshop:

1. Applications of current communication technologies in healthcare such as telemedicine and eHealth endeavors, including specialized telemedicine programs, electronic medical records, online health information for low literate populations, the use of online support groups, etc.

2. Pertinent findings from research conducted on the use of communication technologies in healthcare. Topics include efficacy of technologies, patient and provider acceptance, and possible and realized barriers to implementation and adoption.

3. Determining the future of the use of communication technologies in healthcare communities. This theme will be addressed through an interactive discussion between presenters and workshop participants with the goal in mind of setting a research agenda for future applications that will help improve the delivery of care and health-related information to specialized communities.

Abstracts should be sent to Lorraine Buis, workshop coordinator, at buisl@msu.edu by midnight, March 30, 2007. Abstracts should be no more than 300 words long and should be focused on communication technologies in healthcare and their impact on one or more healthcare communities. A review panel will identify appropriate participants for this workshop and notify the authors of their acceptance. Abstracts will be judged on the appropriateness in regards to the identified workshop topic as well as quality of work.

For more information, please visit the workshop description and call for abstracts at https://ebusiness.tc.msu.edu/cct2007/page4c.html or contact Lorraine Buis directly at buisl@msu.edu.