A Reason to Connect
Te International Ewing’s Sarcoma Research Forum
Message boards are virtual online communities where users can post questions and comments and participate in discussions. Sarcoma specialists around the world have the opportunity to access the International Ewing’s Sarcoma Research Forum, hosted by HCI. Stephen Lessnick, MD, PhD, HCI investigator and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah, initiated and manages the message board.
“Our message board is unique in that it covers basic, translational, and clinical science. With
ONLINE SHARING RESOURCES
As Internet-based information sharing grows more common in the health care industry, it also becomes more necessary. Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) is expanding its online sharing resources for patients and loved ones as well as cancer researchers and physicians.
such a small group of researchers focused on Ewing’s sarcoma, it became apparent that there is an opportunity to collaborate through improved communication,” says Lessnick.
Coincidentally, one of Lessnick’s hobbies gave him the idea to start the message board. Despite his busy schedule as a leading expert in pediatric cancers and a researcher, Lessnick finds time for leisure outdoors, including seeking hidden “geocaches” using a GPS receiver. “I participate in a discussion board for geocaching and found it to be a very useful way to have ongoing, organized conversations. I wondered whether we could develop something similar for Ewing’s
sarcoma—basically a virtual place where we could coordinate efforts that would transcend a single lab’s ability to perform a research project.”
Te idea came to reality in 2007, and now the message board includes 261 members representing 22 countries and 27 U.S. states. “It has allowed for a real spirit of community to develop in our field,” Lessnick says. “It’s also given HCI a lot of visibility in the international cancer community.”
Participation on the message board is limited to researchers and physicians with an interest in Ewing’s sarcoma. With such a focused objective, clinicians can use the forum to help identify optimum treatments for their patients and post in-depth information without fear it will be taken out of context. “If a clinical question is asked, those who respond are the world’s experts on this disease,” says Lessnick. “Tere have been a number of instances where the management of a patient was discussed, without disclosing patient-identifying information, and the requesting physician obtained multiple opinions. Also, treatment advances are readily announced on the message board so new approaches can be immediately implemented by treating physicians.”
Te other feature the message board offers is the opportunity for research collaborations and dissemination of data—even if information is not yet published. “Tis has prevented groups from pursuing identical paths of research, which makes the field, as a whole, more efficient in our efforts,” Lessnick says. “For example, one of my trainees posted a project she was considering, and she received really constructive comments that persuaded her to explore a different project entirely.”
Users have seen other advantages to a virtual sharing space over conventional meetings. And
Stephen Lessnick, MD, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah
HUNTSMAN CANCER INSTITUTE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20