The main aim of RECKS was to assess and enhance the role and effectiveness of collaborative knowledge systems in health promotion and health support.

To this end, it (i) mapped the distribution and characteristics of collaborative knowledge systems in health informatics; (ii) develop a typology of such systems and applications; (iii) identified the main behavioural, cultural, organisational and technical factors constraining the effective use of such systems; (iv) developed and tested a prototype collaborative knowledge production systems in a range of action research environments; (v) produced good practice guidelines and policy recommendations and (vi) disseminated the results of the project to appropriate stakeholders.

Context

Recent initiatives in public health and health service delivery policy aim to promote greater involvement by patients and citizens in shaping and managing their own health. Obstacles working against this vision of an e-health society for all include issues around how knowledge is created and shared between different groups of stakeholders.

Objectives

The main aim of RECKS was to assess and enhance the role and effectiveness of collaborative knowledge systems in health promotion and health support. To this end, it (i) mapped the distribution and characteristics of collaborative knowledge systems in health informatics; (ii) developed a typology of such systems and applications; (iii) identified the main behavioural, cultural, organisational and technical factors constraining the effective use of such systems; (iv) developed and tested a prototype collaborative knowledge production system in a range of action research environments; (v) produced good practice guidelines and policy recommendations and (vi) disseminated the results of the project to appropriate stakeholders

Methodology

Funded by the ESRC as part of their Innovative Health Technologies programme, The RECKS project (Role and Effectiveness of Collaborative Knowledge Systems in Health Promotion and Health Support) examines the use of technology by patients and health professionals in health promotion and health support. It asks: What kinds of collaborative knowledge systems are being developed? Who uses them and for what purposes? What are the benefits and unforeseen effects? What are the implications of these systems for future health policy and service delivery? Knowledge sharing technologies are under-developed and unsophisticated compared with other forms of health technologies. Much of the current investment in health technologies has focused on systems designed to increase the efficiency of health service administration and delivery and in telediagnosis and remote image processing. A review of commercial health technology products available in the UK indicated that less than four per cent (70) were true collaborative knowledge systems, and of these, around 40 per cent were classified as ‘basic’: they create an illusion of collaboration and engagement for users, but the information, approach to learning and terminology is determined by experts.

Impact

The RECKS project was described as “outstanding” in a recent ESRC evaluation report. The report, produced by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), saw RECKS receive two ‘good’ verdicts and one ‘outstanding’ from the three members of the review panel. On a more general level, all of the Institute’s ‘products’ were singled out for merit, including the research itself; the typology and audit; the design and policy principles. The report praised one of the case studies - an element of HERO which worked with young at risk groups to help them express their feelings through song and film - and had this to say: “This is a fascinating, imaginative and creative action research experiment into promoting collaborative knowledge production with an at risk population of young offenders.” Although there were one or two small criticisms to do with low levels of dissemination and insufficient reference to gender and ethics, the tone of the report was upbeat and went as far as suggesting that RECKS should be used for further research. It concludes by saying that RECKS was a ‘very ambitious study’ and commends the input of Project Director, Dr Joe Cullen.

Results

Although the adoption of truly collaborative systems has so far been limited, the researchers’ work with teams developing three such systems showed the way in which these could contribute to health improvements by supporting the management of a personal health condition and providing valuable peer support. They also contributed to the continuing professional development of health workers and opening up access to life opportunities for both patients and health professionals. However, we identified a number of issues around the development and adoption of such systems. These included: colonisation of systems by interest groups – particularly professionals and ‘educated classes’; the need for a human touch as a bridge between the technologies and their users; and the need for more user-friendly functionalities and better capacity to handle video and other content.