Have portable GSS will travel : electronic focus groups at professional conferences

Gathering information about educational requirements when a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is implemented can be challenging for policy makers. A portable group support system (GSS) could allow information gatherers to collect data from a large diverse group of health professionals in a prearranged workshop venue. This paper reports on a qualitative case study of a professional development (PD) activity with a large group of health professionals who participated in an electronically supported focus group. A brainstorming technique was used to identify educational requirements of professionals in the health industry to support and develop EHR initiatives. The portable system and the meeting process are explained. Feedback from the participants about the portable GSS and meeting process are presented. Finally the views of the health care workers arising from this focus group session are discussed.