[Internet biomedical databases: the MEDLINE paradigm. Users' guide]

The Medline database is now available into a wide number of biomedical websites. Clinicians and scientists can now access the most important bibliographic file in medicine directly from their desktop. Medline availability on the Internet can enhance effectiveness and efficiency of medical activities. Real usefulness of Medline and other databases stands on the relevance and validity of the information content that can be obtained at the least work (and cost) for the user. In order to retrieve really useful information, knowledge of some methodological issues related to bibliographic searching is mandatory to the final user. The rising number of Medline providers on Internet occurring during 1996 and 1997 is a proof that the "ideal" world-wide-Medline has not arrived yet.