By Zaki Nahaboo

Ian Davis, a blogger on Internet Alchemy, stated that 'Web 2.0 is an attitude not a technology'. Of course it is notable that the architecture of the web is developing new collaborative spaces which the average user would stand in awe of; but this statement captures the essence of a shift in thinking away from simple one-way consumption by the user. This new attitude, guided by a bottom-up surge, has established users as producers within this more malleable architecture.

Yet we should be careful if stating that web 2.0 application in public engagement automatically lives up to its promises (e.g. real time dialogical connectivity, social networking and the like) as there is the danger it can be tokenistic or be seen as a replacing face-to-face dialogue. Healthcare is one area which shows potential of avoiding these pitfalls particularly through the innovative use of new technologies combined with "traditional" forms of engagement (something which Involve greatly encourages).  Many healthcare institutions in the UK and across the world have adopted this perspective, utilising new web tools to empower individuals in terms of their health, as well as widen the delivery outputs of vital information.

Involve's armchair involvement project, commissioned by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, has shown which new technologies can be (and often have been) applied to the task of improving various aspects of NHS services and public engagement. A beginners guide to technology has now been expanded on the NHS website showing the variety of technologies out there ranging from video on demand to Mash-ups. The first Involve armchair report emphasised the innovation and potential in technology, but now with the expanded beginners guide to technology there is a more comprehensive resource which shows the potential for the present, and direction for the future of healthcare engagement.

Moving forward, what would be interesting to monitor and hopefully progress is if Web 2.0 fever hits healthcare with all its creative and productive potential. That is, with users creating online spaces which are connecting with NHS services straight from the online community without requiring the prompting of engagement from above. I believe this is the direction we are heading in and the armchair involvement resources encourage this possibility.