254823 Fostering Collaboration Through On-going Twitter Chats

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Melissa Beaupierre, MPH, CPH , Danya International, CDC National Prevention Information Network, Atlanta, GA
Cynthia Newcomer , Danya International, CDC National Prevention Information Network, Silver Spring, MD
F. E. Harrison, MBA, PMP , CDC, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Atlanta, GA
CDC NPIN serves HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB prevention partners throughout the United States, in their search for program design, new research and prevention strategy information. Limited resources for travel, high-turnover and small staff size mean staff are often called upon to serve in multiple roles making it difficult for them to stay connected. This also makes it most important for them to make contacts, hear lessons learned, and share innovative techniques. CDC NPIN is helping to address this problem by building online relationships between non-profits, state and local health departments, grantees, federal agencies, and public health employees through social media.

By using social networking, microblogs, and real-time online conversations CDC NPIN's social media outreach promotes conversations around conferences, awareness days, research, publications, and other major milestones. Through the use of new media those with the common interest in prevention have their choice of outlets to share their own insights on developments and challenges in prevention. This session will specifically focus on the success of the bi-monthly #NPINChat on Twitter. Examples of successful collaborations among participants and tangible outcomes of the chats will be shared.

CDC NPINs use of Facebook, LinkedIn and most recently Google Plus, to augment the Twitter chats, will also be discussed. By making multiple new media forums available to varied audiences, social media users engage in the CDC NPIN and partner forums to collaborate, network, and develop more innovative prevention tools. Organizations of all levels and sizes can benefit from others successes and lessons learned.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe at least 2 tangible benefits to holding online disease-focused chats

Keywords: Collaboration, Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I manage the CDC NPIN contract for Danya International. I have managed the program for over 7 years which includes all the social media activities of NPIN.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.