Internet use amongst New Zealand general practitioners

Aims. To assess how extensively New Zealand doctors are using medical infor mation on the Internet, and to examine how the new technology is affecting their practice of medicine. Methods. All general practitioners (GPs) known to be working in Otago and S outhland were asked to complete a postal questionnaire regarding their use of the Internet and their impressions of patient use of online medical reso urces. Results. Of 259 questionnaires mailed out, 168 (65%) were returned by GPs c urrently in practice. Of those, 114 (68%) said they used the Internet at le ast monthly. A total of 71% of GPs had patients who indicated they had soug ht medical information from the Internet. Nearly half of respondents expres sed concerns that the Internet could have unwelcome effects on the doctor-p atient relationship. Conclusions. Internet use among New Zealand doctors and patients is widespr ead, and is likely to have significant impact on medical practice now and i n the future. While the potential benefits of the new technology are numero us, the Internet may become a source of conflict between doctors and patien ts.