Collaboration over the Internet--the Melbourne-Singapore way

The University of Melbourne and The National University of Singapore have established a joint WWW page under the auspices of the Cyberspace Hospital to facilitate inter-regional collaboration and discussion about best practice in research, teaching and clinical activities in general and family practice. Information about each of the two departments are available as well as an electronic forum over the WWW (URL is http:/(/)ch.nus.sg/fammed). Seminal papers on research, teaching and clinical practice are discussed and summarised after critique from GPs from both regions. A paper is discussed every 8 weeks: 1 week to post the paper plus a critique, 6 weeks for discussion, and 1 week to sum up and post the summary. It is planned to progress to audio- and video-conferencing and to widen the participant groups. The process of and difficulties with establishing, maintaining and running the electronic forum is described. Results of the discussions, comments from participants and strategies for the future will be presented as well as a demonstration of the electronic forum.