Journal Watch and QuantiaMD Bring Together Over 2500 Physicians in Groundbreaking Online Collaboration

Over 2500 physicians from across the country have come together on QuantiaMD, an online physician-to-physician learning collaborative, for a first-of-its-kind program presented in collaboration with Journal Watch, from the publishers of the New England Journal of Medicine. Through the National Case Challenge, physicians viewed real-life case submissions in an online forum, selecting their choice of the best short-format, interactive clinical case in medicine. The large number of program participants demonstrates that more physicians are engaging in new modes of online learning and collaboration with their colleagues across the country.

Participants selected the case “Brainstem Rescue” by Alvaro Alonso, MD, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, which appeared on QuantiaMD, where 1 in 6 U.S. physicians engage, share and learn from experts and each other, free of charge. Accessing QuantiaMD through smartphones, tablets, personal computers or point-of-care mobile devices, physicians can interact with each other and experience thousands of interactive presentations in general medicine, oncology, diabetes, infectious disease, and mental health created by medical experts for their peers.

“Physicians very much enjoy the exciting way cases are presented on QuantiaMD, engaging us in an interactive learning experience that gives us current, practical information we can apply in real-world clinical settings," said Dr. Alonso. “I am honored that my submission has been selected from among so many exceptional entries.”

QuantiaMD provides a uniquely useful interactive learning experience, by offering physicians expertly presented and communicated short-form cases to challenge their diagnostic and treatment reasoning. Topics are delivered in interactive 5-8 minute narrated presentations that allow physicians to transform brief periods of downtime into productive, enjoyable learning experiences. The platform enables users to respond instantly and interact with each other, creating a dynamic forum for peer validation and feedback.

“The purest form of medicine is a physician solving a case,” said Michael Paskavitz, Editor in Chief of QuantiaMD. “But when thousands of physicians take the time to solve the same case, the collective learning and subsequent impact on patient care is extraordinarily powerful. Dr. Alonso and the other finalists are outstanding clinical teachers, and their peers let them know that.”

”QuantiaMD’s collaboration with Journal Watch is based on a shared commitment to education coupled with respect for physicians’ time. Journal Watch regularly delivers the most important clinical research drawn from over 250 medical journals in a time-saving, manageable format. A panel of expert Journal Watch judges narrowed the case submissions on QuantiaMD to five finalists, which were presented to the entire medical community for selection of the top submission.

“Both Journal Watch and QuantiaMD present to physicians information that they can use quickly, any time, any place,” said Alberta Fitzpatrick, publisher of Journal Watch. “We are always interested in exciting innovations in case-based education for physicians, and we feel QuantiaMD has led the way in offering a novel environment that makes case-based learning convenient, brief, collaborative and fun.”

In Fall, 2010, hundreds of case submissions were received from QuantiaMD members and Journal Watch subscribers across all specialties in medicine. The field was narrowed down to five finalists based on the cases’ clinical relevance, educational value and presentation. Dr. Alonso’s winning case, chosen by popular vote on QuantiaMD, garnered him a $2500 award. To view the winner and finalists’ cases, please visit www.quantiamd.com/jwresults.

About QuantiaMD

QuantiaMD is an online physician-to-physician learning collaborative where 1 in 6 U.S. physicians engage, share, and learn from experts and each other, free of charge. Through any computer, smartphone or mobile device, members visit QuantiaMD daily to engage with respected experts who deliver clinically relevant, unbiased content in a concise, interactive format to fit the busy schedules of today’s physicians. QuantiaMD^® is a branded service developed and operated by Quantia Communications, Inc., a privately held corporation headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, visit http://www.quantiamd.com.

QUANTIAMD is a registered trademark of Quantia Communications, Inc. All other product names and references contained herein remain the service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

About Journal Watch

From the publisher of The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal Watch is designed to save physicians time while keeping them fully informed of the latest, most important developments that affect medical practice. Among the most highly respected clinicians and academicians in medicine, Journal Watch physician-editors survey the medical literature and provide insight on the most clinically relevant research and news. Visit JWatch.org for the summaries, commentary, blogs, and newscasts that help busy doctors practice the best medicine.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6615338&lang=en