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Abstract
Objectives: Web-based learning encompasses a wide range of activities. Our purpose is to assess the needs and expectations of respiratory physicians with regard to technology and web offerings in their information seeking and online learning behaviours. Methods: Two surveys were conducted in early 2010 by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) with the aim of understanding the needs and expectations of respiratory physicians with regard to technology and the Internet for learning and teaching purposes. The first survey consisted of 250 telephone interviews. The second survey was conducted online using SurveyMonkey.com platform. Both surveys were analysed separately and results were then collated in an overall analysis. Results: Respondents from all world regions were surveyed. One-third of participants required CME credits for their work and two-thirds were involved in teaching others. Access to journal articles, PowerPoint (PPT) slides and guidelines were considered most important. Further needs and expectations included access to enhanced guideline-related materials, additional videos of medical procedures and quality pictures, X-rays, photos, animations and sounds as well as clinical case studies. Overall, 39% of the online survey respondents reported using Facebook and 37% used Medscape as a tool for medical social networking. Finally, fewer than 25% of respondents reported owning a smartphone and just two-thirds of them used this equipment for professional reasons. Conclusions: Use of educational websites was split between a need to keep knowledge up-to-date and assistance in preparing lectures. With regard to the content offered, the most popular features were journal articles and PPT slides, and the most frequently requested features were guideline-related materials: teaching PPT kits and teaching videos. This is a clear indication that even if today's technology allows the creation of many different formats and features, established forms of accessing information and learning are still crucial to both learners and teachers.