Use of the Internet by medical voluntary groups in the UK

Voluntary organisations and charities established as self-help groups are contributing to the democratisation of health-related information. As part of the Internet revolution in communication, such organisations are developing web sites. This short report surveyed all UK voluntary groups in the field of neurology. Of these, 71% had a web site, while the Internet was also used for research, advertising, fund raising and to host a discussion forum. These findings are discussed in terms of the quality of information available to people using the Internet.