[Role of the professional use of Internet for the trainees of the gynecology-obstetrics program in Lille in 2005].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the professional impact of Internet for trainees and to assess the need for Internet classes.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to all trainees of the gynaecology-obstetrics program in Lille. We evaluated the use of Internet and its consequence on the professional life. The search engine Pubmed was especially studied as a representation of the professional use of the Internet. Trainees were classified in "young" (first 2 years) and "old" (last 3 years).


RESULTS
The ability to obtain medical information online was strong as 98% of the participants reported using the Internet. However, more traditional tools such as manuals were used to find a medical information despite an early use of the Internet (mainly started in medical school). We did not find any differences between the two trainee groups in the use of Pubmed. Sixty-four percent of the young trainees were using Pubmed compared to 100% of their seniors (P<0,05). Old trainees were more frequently medium-levelled (50 versus 14%; P<0,05) whereas 57% young trainees were low-levelled. Old trainees were more familiar with the use of links to online publications (43 versus 11%; P<0,05). Eighty-five percent of the trainees experienced difficulties using the Internet or Pubmed.


CONCLUSIONS
Access to the Internet increases rapidly among physicians and medical students. However, they may encounter difficulties using search engine online. Our data support the hypothesis that residents should learn how to use the Internet effectively for searching medical resources. We suggest to planning classes during the residency program.
Ascencio
M
M
Clinique d'obstétrique, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, université Lille-II, 1, rue Eugène-Avinée, 59037 Lille cedex, France.
Subtil
D
D
Cosson
M
M
Didier
M
M
Deruelle
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D039781:PubMed; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires