Intensive care nurses on social media: An exploration of knowledge exchange on an intensive care virtual community of practice.

This study demonstrated that a practice-based VC can function effectively as a VCoP to establish an effective professional network where members have access to up-to-date best practice knowledge. Healthcare organisations could leverage VCs to support the professional development of HCPs and ensure that local clinical practices are based on contemporaneous knowledge. Participation by nurses in these communities facilitates individual professional development and access to important clinical knowledge and expertise, and ultimately reinforcing the unique position of nursing in delivering effective, consistent high-quality patient care.