New communication between dermatologists in the age of the Internet

Dermatologists may benefit from a free Internet resource, RxDerm-L, which is an e-mall discussion group for our specialty. Initiated in November 1993, enrollment has finally passed the 1,000 mark; its daily communication reaches a significant percentage of practitioners. Proceedings of this group were monitored for 4 weeks, with special attention to authors, content, and participants. Discussions focused on diagnostic problems and treatment Issues. Members most often providing content were more than likely published and/or associated with a dermatology teaching program. In addition to questions and opinions, the daily exchange included patient images, citations, and abstracts. The average number of letters per day was 46. The ability to share images, access to collective expertise, immediacy of the discussion, and group camaraderie appear to have contributed to the success of this forum. Physicians able to endure the large quantity of e-mall may find RxDerm-L a valuable practice resource.