Norwegian surgical and medical oncologists' use of the Internet. A new source for professional updating.
BACKGROUND
The Internet has become an important resource of medical information. The objective of this study was to examine its use by Norwegian oncologists.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-six oncologists were invited to take part in a questionnaire-based study and 105 responded.


RESULTS
Ninety-six percent had access to the Internet. Eighty-four percent employed the net and 82% used e-mail. Males were more frequently e-mail users (p = 0.044). The mean weekly time spent on the Internet was 103 minutes (range 0 - 10 hours). The benefits of Internet use reported were professional updating and information about meetings/conferences/workshops. Information about vacancies and product advertisements were considered of little importance. Ninety-one percent, mainly medical oncologists (p = 0.003), had encountered patients/relatives who had provided Internet down-loaded medical data for consideration. Forty-two percent requested more training.


CONCLUSIONS
Most oncologists use the Internet for professional updating. They frequently receive Internet down-loaded data from patients/relatives.
Norum
Jan
J
Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø. jan.norum@unn.no
Bergli
Eli N
EN
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009664:Norway; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires