TECHNOLOGY-BASED DISSEMINATION

Health care reform and restructuring, changes in the scope and definit ions of 'health', 'health care' and 'health research', along with a co ntinued emphasis on multi-disciplinary health promotion and prevention , all indicate the need for information dissemination, exchange and ma nagement. Technology can be a tool to help meet this need, as it can h elp us disseminate, as well as understand the process of dissemination . Rapid advances in, and reduced costs of technology, permit the integ ration of this tool. This paper provides a definition for disseminatio n, along with a background and rationale as to why now is the time and place to harness technology to assist with the dissemination process. In addition, it presents well-designed studies on the effective use o f technology as an aid to dissemination. Concrete examples of innovati ve technology that are being tested are also examined. Finally, the ch allenge and strategies for technology integration are addressed.