title: The internet: from basics to telesurgery.
abstract: The exponential growth in information technology is resulting in a rapid increase in the ability to develop useful applications on the Internet. The purpose of the present article is to provide a brief review of the Internet with a consideration of its relevance to surgeons. This review is intended to indicate a range of relevant issues, rather than to discuss any specific topic in depth. It is becoming difficult for surgeons to reach their full potential unless they exploit Internet-based activities. This is because the ability to rapidly capture information of quality is an essential ingredient in a reflective approach to surgical problems. More futuristic is the prospect of using computer-based technology to operate upon patients from a distance (telesurgery).
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. jchall@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D017216:Telemedicine