title: [Internet presence of neurologists, psychiatrists and medical psychotherapists in private practice].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The world wide web provides new options to physicians in terms practice marketing, information brokerage, and process optimization. This study explores prevalence and content of homepages of neurologists, psychiatrists and medical psychotherapists in private practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through the legal bodies of physicians in private practice in six northern German states neurologists, psychiatrists and medical psychotherapists were identified. According to a standardized and operationalized criteria catalogue, homepages were rated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1804 physicians were identified, 352 (19.5 %) had operated a homepage. Higher frequencies of homepages found for male physicians (vs. female physicians), practice centres (vs. single practices) and urban practices (vs. rural practices). In average, practices reached 18.8 (± 5.3) of 42 points; contact data and accessibility information were generally available; information as to qualification and specialization was provided more infrequently. Legal specifications were not considered in more than every second homepage, interactive elements like online appointment of follow-up prescription were only rarely offered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only every fifth neurological or psychiatric practice operates an own homepage, higher competition (urban area) and higher professionalization (practice centres) seem to act as promotors. The legal framework has to be focused, and patient needs should be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kuhnigk
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramuschkat
authors.affiliation: Dekanat, Prodekanat für Lehre, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schreiner
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Augenheilkunde, Asklepios Klinik Altona, Hamburg.
authors.forename: Anina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anger
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reimer
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009462:Neurology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011331:Private Practice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface