PLINK, PLASTIC-SURGERY AND THE INTERNET

The Internet is a fast growing, global computer network that is easy t o access at a low cost, This form of communication allows rapid electr onic exchange of information such as text, pictures, animations, video and sound. This offers physicians an opportunity to enhance the quali ty of patient care, research and communication with colleagues. Patien ts who previously had limited access to information concerning disease s and treatment options are now able to find medical information on th e Internet. The quality of information found on the Internet varies wi dely, from the most up-to-date protocols, produced by leading physicia ns and surgeons, to out of date or inaccurate recommendations. Faced w ith an enormous quantity of information of variable quality, guideline s certified by recognised medical organisations are essential to provi de websites with valuable information. This so-called ''safe house pri nciple'' creates reliable places on the Internet (''safe houses'') tha t are generally accepted and trusted for containing valid information. We have created such a ''safe house'' on plastic surgical topics for the Netherlands Society for Plastic Surgery called ''PLink'' (the Plas tic Surgery link). Its goals are: 1. to provide a well-organised list of existing plastic surgery Internet resources; 2. to improve communic ation; and 3. to provide original information on plastic surgical subj ects for patients and physicians. Professionals always review the cont ent, Since July 1996 our files have been accessed over 1.3 million tim es in 17 months, with the visit rate increasing from 1470 in July 1996 to 4200 in March 1997 and remaining stable since then. This indicates that there is a growing need for high quality information on plastic surgery on the Internet.