Evaluating the DR-ED Listserv as a Medical Education Networking and Support Tool.

The listserv, although considered old technology by some, continues to show benefit for and growth in subscribers. We investigated the roles the DR-ED listserv plays within the medical education community. We asked, Who subscribes? Why do they subscribe? and How do they use the listserv? We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of the DR-ED listserv based on message content analysis and user surveys. We found the DR-ED listserv fulfills medical educators' need to network collegially; keep current with issues and ideas in the field; share solutions to problems; share resources; and advertise development opportunities. We found two types of listserv engagement: a) one-way engagement by using it as a resource, or two-way engagement by using and sharing resources. Our findings also highlight the value users attribute to virtual resources and the role listservs can play as economical professional development in a time of constrained costs, and our analysis methods can be used to guide future listserv evaluations. We conclude the relatively easy access to a global medical education listserv is one strategy to create a community of practice for medical education practitioners.

Communication during a global pandemic: The utility of a professional society listserv and journal.

The Association of Pathology Chairs listserv was studied in order to determine its utility in facilitating communication among pathology departments during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Between March 2020 and March 2022, there were 116 pandemic-related entries generated by 49 members that stimulated 395 responses from 109 members. Due to overlap between individuals providing listserv entries and those responding, there were 123 unique participants. The majority of entries (64%) as well as responses (64%) occurred during March and April 2020. The most common categorical theme (32% of entries and 39% of responses) related to COVID-19 testing protocols and procedures with the second most common theme being the proactive sharing of individual institutional experiences in coping with the pandemic (16% of entries and 11% of responses). Additional themes included remote pathologist sign-outs, use of alternative specimens for testing, supply chain issues, in-house preparation of viral transport media and swabs, autopsies on COVID-19 decedents, safety of the blood supply, disinfecting masks, Medicare payment for testing, and creation of a biorepository for specimens. Fifty-two (42%) of the 123 unique participants published 277 COVID-related papers during this time, and one third of COVID-19-related articles published during 2020 and 2021 in Academic Pathology, the official journal of the Association of Pathology Chairs, involved individuals who had contributed to the listserv either by generating entries or responding to them. These data suggest that professional society listservs and journals are effective vehicles for communication during crises by identifying issues, proposing solutions, and exporting this information into the literature.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Neuroinfectious Disease Inquiries Within the Emerging Infections Network: A 22-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: To monitor emerging infectious diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Infectious Disease Society of America established the Emerging Infections Network (EIN), allowing infectious disease specialists to post inquiries about clinical cases. We describe the frequency and characteristics of neuroinfectious disease-related inquiries. METHODS: The EIN listserv was retrospectively reviewed from February 1997 to December 2019 using search terms associated with neurologic diseases. We recorded case summaries, disease type (ie, meningitis, encephalitis), inquiry type (diagnostic approach, result interpretation, management decisions), unique patient populations, exposures, pathogens, ultimate diagnosis, and change in clinical care based on responses. RESULTS: Of 2348 total inquiries, 285 (12.1%) related to neuroinfectious diseases. The majority involved meningitis (99, 34.7%) or encephalitis (56, 19.6%). One hundred fifteen inquiries (40%) related to management, 34 (12%) related to diagnostic workup, and 22 (8%) related to result interpretation. Eight (2.8%) specifically involved results of cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction testing. Sixty-three (22.1%) involved immunosuppressed patients (29 human immunodeficiency virus-positive cases [46%]). The most common pathogens were Treponema pallidum (19, 6.7%) and Cryptococcus neoformans (18, 6.3%). In 74 (25%) inquiries, patients had neurologic symptoms without a clear infection, 38 (51.3%) of which included noninfectious neurologic etiologies in the differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the significant challenges of diagnosis and management of neuroinfectious diseases within the field of infectious diseases. It also highlights the importance of curated forums to guide the approach of difficult cases, in particular instances that mimic infectious diseases. Finally, the EIN listserv may assist in identifying areas for research and training to address these complexities.

Tracking Surgical Education Survey Research Through the APDS Listserv.

OBJECTIVE: Survey-based studies are cornerstones in medical education research. The Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) listserv offers a method to contact program directors (PD) and residents for such research. To facilitate research beneficial to the APDS, improve the quality of survey-based research and minimize survey fatigue, the APDS research committee (ARC) developed a survey review process to grant access to the listserv for research. This study was conducted to determine the impact of the review process on the quality of survey-based research and eventual publication. DESIGN: This log was systematically reviewed identifying publications resulting from accepted surveys. Publications were categorically analyzed to determine the components of their survey tool methodology, response rate (RR), and medical education research study quality instrument (MERSQI) score. SETTING: The ARC used a 2-reviewer peer-review process for survey distribution requests. The request was either accepted, rejected, or returned for revision. Accepted surveys were distributed through the listserv with an ARC attestation of approval. PARTICIPANTS: A log of all survey requests maintained from 2014 to 2017 and subsequent publications. RESULTS: Thirty-five requests were accepted (40%), 30 were reviewed discovering 10 surveys that led to 12 publications (publication rate of 33%). The average RR was 60% (SD = 29%). Detailed explanations of survey development strategies were reported in 5 (42%), consisting of methods building validity evidence such as expert consensus, modified Delphi method, and pilot group sampling. Half of study participants were PD (50%). MERSQI scores averaged 10 (SD = 1.6). CONCLUSION: Based on those survey research published to date, the ARC survey peer-review process has enabled most accepted surveys to achieve adequate RR. Although the pool of accepted requests is small, it does highlight areas of improvement. With further refinement of the process, including questioning the survey development methods, the process and listserv can be a powerful tool for further research.

Assistive technology enables inclusion in higher education: The role of Higher and Further Education Disability Services Association.

BACKGROUND: Using assistive technology is one way to foster inclusion of students in the post-school education and training (PSET) sector. OBJECTIVES: Higher and Further Education Disability Services Association (HEDSA) enables the sharing of new knowledge about assistive technologies through its symposia, and making information available on its website. Additionally, it facilitates dialogue and collaboration amongst institutions in the PSET network using a listserv and newsletters, given that PSET institutions are spread countrywide. METHOD: This is an article based on a presentation at the 5th African Network of Evidence-to-Action in Disability (AfriNEAD) conference in Ghana in 2017 that focused on the value of assistive technology for students pursuing studies in the PSET sector and the role played by HEDSA in South Africa. RESULTS: The positive gains and existing gaps in disability inclusion in the higher education sector in South Africa are highlighted, with reference to access to technology. All higher education institutions have internet access and can thereby make use of listservs to communicate information. MapAbility is a way that prospective students can gain a snapshot view of available resources at institutions of learning, using the internet. CONCLUSION: An association such as HEDSA plays a critical role in the PSET sector to enhance disability inclusion using online tools to disseminate information.

Learning from the Field and Its Listserv: Issues That Concern Health Literacy Practitioners.

This study assesses the content of email messages posted to the Health Literacy Discussion List (HLDL) during a two-year period. The study identifies issues of concern to list subscribers, describes the purposes the list serves for health professionals, and contributes to the health literacy literature by providing an email listserv as a research corpus. The authors conducted an inductive qualitative analysis of email posts to the HLDL from October 2013 to October 2015. Using an iterative process, the authors identified descriptive categories for types of posts and topics of posts. The first (SKR) and second (JM) authors reviewed subject lines of all 2,036 posts and brainstormed type and topic categories, independently read and sorted a random sample of 200 posts into those categories, and then discussed discrepancies. Based on the latter experience, the authors combined, added, or excluded certain categories and jointly created a detailed description for each type and topic category. We then sorted another random sample of 200 posts and generated a list of key words relating emails to topic categories. A Cohen's kappa reliability coefficient was calculated to establish intercoder reliability. The third author (RVR) then conducted key word searches for sorting the remaining 1,836 email posts. The existence and frequency of email clusters and the content of emails in these clusters were used to identify and explore in greater detail the "hot topics" of interest to the field. Our analysis suggests the utility of the HLDL as a platform for sharing information and resources, announcements and calls for action, technical assistance and professional discourse.

Learning and networking: utilization of a primary care listserv by pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Expanding into new types of practice, such as family health teams, presents challenges for practising pharmacists. The Primary Care Pharmacy Specialty Network (PC-PSN) was established in 2007 to support collaboration among pharmacists working in primary care. The PC-PSN offers to its members a listserv (also referred to as an electronic mailing list) jointly hosted by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and the Canadian Pharmacists Association. OBJECTIVES: To characterize PC-PSN membership and participation in the listserv and to examine how the listserv is used by analyzing questions posted, concerns raised, and issues discussed. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was used to examine 1 year of archived PC-PSN listserv posts from the year 2010. Two coders used NVivo software to classify the content of posts. Research team members reviewed and discussed the coding reports to confirm themes emerging from the data. RESULTS: Overall, 129 people (52.9% of the 244 listserv members registered at the end of the calendar year) posted to the listserv during the study period. These participants worked in various practice settings, with over half residing in Ontario (68/129 [52.7%]). A total of 623 posts were coded. Agreement between coders, for a sample of posts from 10 users, was acceptable (kappa = 0.78). The listserv was used to share information on a diverse set of topics, to support decision-making and acquire solutions for complex problems, and as a forum for mentorship. CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative content analysis of the PC-PSN listserv posts for the year 2010 showed that the listserv was a medium for information-sharing and for providing and receiving support, through mentorship from colleagues. Apparent learning needs included effective question-posing skills and application of evidence to individual patients.

CONTEXTE: Passer à de nouveaux types de pratiques, comme les groupes de médecine de famille, présente différents défis pour les pharmaciens en exercice. Le Réseau de spécialistes en pharmacie (RSP) en soins de santé primaires a été mis sur pied en 2007 dans le but de favoriser la collaboration entre pharmaciens œuvrant en soins de santé primaires. Le RSP en soins de santé primaires offre à ses membres un gestionnaire de liste de diffusion (listserv) sous l'égide conjoint de la Société canadienne des pharmaciens d'hôpitaux et de l'Association des pharmaciens du Canada. OBJECTIFS: Offrir un portrait des effectifs du RSP en soins de santé primaires et de la participation des membres au forum de discussion, et étudier comment le gestionnaire de liste de diffusion est utilisé à l'aide d'une analyse des questions publiées, des préoccupations soulevées et des problèmes abordés. MÉTHODES: Une analyse qualitative du contenu a servi à étudier l'ensemble des messages archivés dans le gestionnaire de liste de diffusion de l'année 2010. Deux codeurs ont utilisé le logiciel NVivo pour classer le contenu des messages publiés. Les résultats de l'encodage ont été examinés par les membres de l'équipe de recherche afin d'identifier les thèmes se dégageant des données. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble, 129 personnes (52,9 % des 244 membres inscrits au gestionnaire de liste de diffusion à la fin de l'année civile) ont publié des messages durant la période à l'étude. Les participants travaillaient dans différents milieux et plus de la moitié habitaient en Ontario (68/129 [52,7 %]). Au total, 623 messages ont été encodés et la concordance entre les résultats des deux codeurs était satisfaisante pour un échantillon de messages provenant de 10 usagers (indice kappa = 0,78). Le gestionnaire de liste de diffusion a servi à partager de l'information sur une gamme de sujets, à appuyer des prises de décision et à trouver des solutions à des problèmes complexes. Il a aussi servi de forum de mentorat. CONCLUSIONS: L'analyse qualitative du contenu des messages publiés en 2010 dans le gestionnaire de liste de diffusion par les membres du RSP en soins de santé primaires a montré que le gestionnaire est un média d'échange d'information et qu'il permet d'offrir et de recevoir du soutien grâce au mentorat entre collègues. Parmi les besoins identifiés, on compte la capacité à bien formuler des questions et l'application des données probantes pour le traitement individuel des patients. [Traduction par l'éditeur].