Virtual discourse: Evaluating DR-ED as a computer mediated communications network for medical education

Finding ways to link educators conducting research and educational activities is vitally important toward promoting scholarship, resource sharing, and collaboration. One avenue for developing these linkages is a form of computer mediated communications technology called listservs. This article describes the development and evaluation of the DR-ED listserv. Through a subscriber demographic analysis, content analysis of messages, and a subscriber survey, the DR-ED listserv has proven to be successful in terms of the diverse subscriber base it serves and the broad range of topics subscribers have addressed. Further, it serves as a forum to keep current on innovations in medical education and facilitates the formation of collaborative scholarly networks. By way of conclusion, suggestions are offered for those interested in developing listserv technology of their own and conducting research on listservs in general.