Classification of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) from the Telemedicine University Network (RUTE) in Homogeneous Groups Based on their Production in Communication, Cooperation and Coordination (3C)

ABSTRACT Introduction The Telemedicine University Network (RUTE) in Brazil is an initiative that promotes collaboration between university hospitals, teaching hospitals, health professionals, and students using information and communication technology infrastructure to support special interest groups (SIGs) in health care. Health professionals in RUTE-member institutions plan a program of video conferences and/or web conferences to discuss specific themes. This article presents the results of an analysis of the collaboration between the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) of the Telemedicine University Network (RUTE) considering the SIGs production in communication, cooperation and coordination (3C). Methods A survey was applied to SIG coordinators between April and May 2016. The classification of SIGs into homogeneous groups considered the activities developed in the network between 2007 and the time of the survey application. The study is retrospectively based on historical data from units, institutions and SIGs. The coordinators of 71 RUTE SIGs were invited to respond. Of those, forty-five active SIGs responded to the evaluation survey in its entirety and were considered in the analyses. Results Almost one third of the respondent coordinators (35%) stated that their SIG works in the education axis, 21% work in the care and research, development and innovation axes, while 12% work in management and 11% in evaluation. The SIGs were grouped into three homogeneous categories: emergent collaboration, collaborative development, and full collaboration, and it was identified that 71% of the 45 SIGs (11 in the emerging and 20 developing groups) use email as the main extra-session communication tool. Four SIGs from the full collaboration group reported: use of instant messaging service (1 SIG), own website (1 SIG) and social networks (2 SIGs). Conclusion The results of this study suggests may not accurately gauge the actual production and collaboration that SIGs develop and this analysis can be considered as a starting point or as a reference for the RUTE community. However, the results suggest significant growth in collaboration between RUTE-member SIGs, indicating a positive trend for the RUTE regarding the interest, participation and dissemination of actions in telemedicine and telehealth in the country.

摘要
巴西远程医疗大学网络（Telemedicine University Network，RUTE）是一项依托信息通信技术基础设施，推动大学附属医院、教学医院、卫生专业人员与学生开展协作的倡议，旨在扶持医疗领域的特殊兴趣小组（Special Interest Groups，SIGs）。RUTE成员机构中的卫生专业人员会规划视频会议及/或网络会议日程，以探讨特定主题。本文针对远程医疗大学网络（RUTE）下属特殊兴趣小组（SIGs）的协作情况展开分析，重点考量SIGs在通信、协作与协调（3C）三方面的产出，现将相关研究结果予以呈现。

研究方法
本研究于2016年4月至5月期间面向SIG协调员开展问卷调查。研究依据2007年至本次调研开展期间该网络内的各项活动，将SIGs划分为同质群组。本研究基于各单位、机构及SIGs的历史数据开展回顾性分析。研究共邀请71个RUTE下属SIG的协调员参与调研，其中45个活跃SIG完整完成了评估问卷，最终纳入本次分析范畴。

研究结果
近三分之一的受访协调员（35%）表示，其所在SIG聚焦教育维度；21%的SIG同时开展照护、研究、开发与创新相关工作；12%的SIG聚焦管理维度，11%则聚焦评估维度。研究将SIGs划分为三类同质群组：萌芽型协作、协作发展型及成熟协作型。经分析发现，45个受访SIG中71%的群组（其中萌芽组11个、发展组20个）以电子邮件作为会议外主要通信工具。成熟协作组中有4个SIG分别使用了即时通讯服务（1个）、自建官方网站（1个）及社交网络（2个）作为通信手段。

研究结论
本研究结果或无法精准衡量SIGs实际开展的产出与协作水平，本次分析可作为RUTE社区的研究起点或参考依据。然而，研究结果显示RUTE成员SIG间的协作水平显著提升，表明该国在远程医疗与远程健康领域的相关行动的关注度、参与度及传播度均呈现积极向好的发展态势。