Abstract

Social networking systems allow users to keep in touch with relatives and friends in the absence of physical proximity. These tools are also increasingly supporting productive interactions in diverse working environments. In this paper, based on the understanding of informal communication in hospitals, we identify opportunities for the use of social networking software in support of hospital work. This has inspired the design of meetU, a tool aimed at supporting impromptu social networking through an ad-hoc communication infrastructure. The services offered by the system are illustrated through interaction scenarios, which were also used to evaluate the system with a group of medical interns. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.