General practitioners and the Internet--a questionnaire survey of Internet connectivity and use in Lothian

To determine the extent of Internet connectivity and use by GPs in the Lothian Health Board area and to investigate which Internet medical information resources GPs find most useful for work related purposes.

Postal questionnaire.

General Practice.

Postal questionnaires were sent to all GPs listed in the Lothian Health Primary Care mailing list. In total 546 questionnaires were sent to 126 practices during April/May 1999.

At least one response was received from 86% of practices and overall 56% of questionnaires were returned. Ninety two percent of practices that responded indicated that an Internet connection was available with 86% reporting that access was restricted to one computer. Sixty seven percent of responding GPs indicated that they had used the Internet, with more time being spent using the Web than Email. Of the Internet users 54%, rated the Internet as useful or very useful for work related purposes. Accessibility and immediacy of access to information were among the most useful aspects of Internet use, with locating specific resources and lack of time being highlighted as commonly reported difficulties. Popular medical Internet resources included Medline/Pubmed, the eBMJ/BMA site and a range of other resources produced by authoritative medical bodies.

This study indicates high Internet connectivity in Lothian general practices, with increased levels of use by GPs compared with previous benchmark studies and high levels of perceived usefulness of the Internet in relation to GPs work. Training and education of GPs is clearly required if they are to take best advantage of improved Internet accessibility.