Collaboration and learning in medical teams by using video conference

This study explores how teams create opportunities for learning through medical talk in video conferences (VCs). The empirical context is 47 real-time VCs carried out between general practitioners (GPs) and specialists to examine collaborative work through medical talk. Sixteen of the observations were consultations wherein knowledge was shared with the purpose of solving a specific medical problem. Eight interviews were done face-to-face with a focus on the content of the talk, with the purpose of examining the findings of the observations. Analysis of information and knowledge sharing in medical talk through discussing a patient's medical record shows that collaborative work creates opportunities for learning. The participants describe, inform, recommend, explain and confirm in a two-way process. Individuals' different experience-based knowledge and scientific knowledge closes the knowledge gapsbetween GP and specialist. Contradictions between the individual's thinking and the knowledge collectively shared furthers the activity. Regular VCs offer the opportunity to be part of a distributed team that expands the opportunity provided by irregular phone calls, deviates from the expected course of traditional procedures for doing medical work and creates a space for learning. The VC facilitates collaboration and collective reflection as a distributed health care team.