Mental Models of Family Physicians Regarding their Professional Network Roles

AbstractPast studies have revealed that clinicians’ perceptions influence their participation in social networks. In this paper a professional network of physicians was studied in order to determine how physicians perceive the network role in their professional life. The study is based on: a qualitative analysis of the network discussions; in-depth interviews; a questionnaire; and a clinical research focus group. We found three main mental models of the network role. The first considers the network as enabling social engagement; the second sees the network as facilitating clinical decision-making; and the third seeks for clinical research collaboration