THE INTERNET AND THE FUTURE OF PSYCHIATRY

Objective: The Internet is a vapidly growing communications resource t hat is beginning to have an impact on medicine, and it is anticipated that the Internet will soon have a major effect on psychiatry. It is e ssential for psychiatrists to have a conceptual framework for understa nding the many aspects of the Internet. Method: Using a four-layer mod el, the authors describe the components of the Internet and how these work together to establish communication. They discuss some of the pra ctical implications of the model, potential future applications of the Internet, and some of the challenges its use will create. Results: In the Internet model described, the bottom three layers involve hardwar e and modes of information transmission; the fourth layer is human int eraction. The Internet has great potential in psychiatric education, c linical care, research, and administration, but major adjustments in i ndividual and organizational expectations and responses will be needed . These changes relate to the speed, dispersion, volume, privacy, and permanence of communication. Conclusions: The growth of the Internet a nd related information technologies is inevitable and has diverse tech nical and social implications. As psychiatrists, we must remain effect ive communicators of information and adjust to a changing world with n ew robes and skills that will permit us to best serve our professional mission.