The Internet Revolutionizes Medicine: A New Era of Information Accessibility

Strategic Insights -

The internet has become an invaluable resource for physicians, providing access to research data, journal articles, clinical trial information, and expert consultations. With the advent of the World Wide Web, navigating the internet has become significantly easier, especially for those with little to no experience. The internet is no longer a mysterious and intimidating entity, but a powerful tool that can be harnessed to improve patient care and clinical practice.

Key Takeaways:

  • The internet has the potential to revolutionize medicine by providing instant access to research data, journal articles, and expert consultations.
  • The World Wide Web has made it easier for physicians to navigate the internet, with most websites featuring user-friendly interfaces and hyperlinks to relevant information.
  • Gateways like the Physicians Guide to the Internet and Lee Hancock's index of medical resources provide a comprehensive overview of the internet's capabilities and simplify the process of finding relevant information.
  • The internet has transformed the way medical journals are published and disseminated, with online forums allowing for real-time discussions and feedback.
  • Physician recruitment firms are increasingly using the internet to connect physicians with job opportunities, with sites like MedSearch America and MedLink International boasting large databases of job listings.
  • Organized medicine is also expanding its presence online, with the AMA's home page listing hundreds of jobs and other medical groups gearing up to join the digital revolution.

Statistics:

  • A good off-the-shelf personal computer can cost between $1,000 to $2,000.
  • A fast modem can cost around $200, with a minimum speed of 28.8 kilobytes per second required for access to the World Wide Web.
  • There are over 2,000 job listings on MedSearch America, with several hundred physician resumes on file.
  • MedLink International claims to have about 50,000 daily users, or hits.
  • The Journal of Image-Guided Surgery has implemented a peer-reviewed full-text article system, complete with discussion forums and hyperlinks to referenced works.
  • The new home page on the World Wide Web providing information about clinical trials lists trials for various disorders, including asthma, epilepsy, and breast cancer.

Sources:

  • "The Physician's' Guide to the Internet" by Lee Hancock (Lippincott Raven Publishers, Philadelphia).
  • "The Internet and Medicine" by Eric Golanty, PhD (Physicians Guide to the Internet home page).
  • "MedSearch America" (http://www.medsearch.com 9001).
  • "MedLink International" (http://www.medlink.com).
  • "Merritt, Hawkins & Associate's practice opportunity network" (http://www.practice-net.com).
  • "Journal of Image Guided Surgery" (http://www.igs.wiley.com).
  • "Sterling Clinical Resources' clinical trials listing" (http://www.primenet.com/~iwpp/sterling.html).