Thread:Jillian Clarke's - Starting an online discussion forum for health professionals in a large organisation (1)

My mini conference will be looking at the process, benefits and restrictions in trying to develop an online discussion forum for multi disciplinary maternity health professionals in a large organisation (my organisation is a QLD health). I have come across many road blocks and am undecided about which platform to use, whether to use an existing one, whether to use an intranet platform (only accessible at work) or use a well known, already established platform that will immediatey provide numbers. My research so far has shown that despite people thinking it is a good idea, most people are reluctant to engage or appathetic which means only a select few do and this stifles the discussion. I am concerned about confidentiality issues if I keep it within the facility and that people don't really have the time at work to reflect and engage in discussions, so can see the benfit for having the platform off site. I would love to chat to anyone and am very open to suggestions. I would like to hold a synchronous event which would include people who have tried to set a similar forum up and have or have not been successful - there tips, advice and what they found worked. I would also like people who have participated in a discussion forum in a large organisation to give their feedback as well. Looking forward to your thoughts.