Do you use the Internet to research health care questions, either for personal use or to assist you in delivering patient care?
The ADA’s 2000 Survey of Current Issues in Dentistry: Dentists’ Computer Use reported that 56.4 percent of private practice dentists surveyed use the Internet at the office.1 Among those dentists, 75.5 percent said they used it for research or to find information.
In response to February JADA’s Question of the Month, 77 percent said they either use the Internet for research often (37 percent) or sometimes (40 percent).
"It is the first place that I research," said one respondent who uses the Internet often.
"How did we survive without the Internet?" asked another.
Some readers gave specifics, saying they use the Internet for practice management tips, to check prescription drug Web sites for drug information and side effects and to locate product information for themselves and their patients. "I use it nearly every day. I try to get info I’ve never had access to before," said a reader. "I have DSL [a digital subscriber line] in my office, so these inquiries are fast and easy."
Some of these respondents said they are sure to only access Web sites of dependable sources such as the government, dental schools or major health care organizations. "You must use reliable sources or none at all because you do not know the qualifications of those reporting the information," cautioned one reader.
Among the 40 percent of respondents who said they use the Internet to research health care information only sometimes, a few said that is because it has its limitations. "Often it is difficult to get factual information," said one respondent. "There is more ‘net’ than I have time for," said another.
Others said they use it for specific purposes. "I just scan the journals and summaries," said one reader.
"I use the Web to get information about classes and specific diseases and to see what information and views patients are exposed to," said another.
Twenty-three percent of respondents said they do not use the Internet for personal or professional reasons. In fact, one reader asked, "What is an ‘Internet’?"
"Time is a valuable commodity and most traditional Web sites are unwieldy and slow," said a respondent. "The information is vast and not peer-reviewed or qualified."
"The Internet is annoying," said another. "I would rather read a magazine and sit comfortably."
Other readers, however, said they "recognize a need to ‘get with it’ " and learn how to use the Internet. "A 53-year-old dog needs someone to hold his paw to surf the net," said one.
"I plan on starting soon with my upgraded office computer system," said another.
ADA.org offers several opportunities for readers to access health care information. The Publications area at "www.ada.org/prof/pubs/index.asp" provides links to the latest issues of JADA and ADA News, as well as ADA Guide to Dental Therapeutics Prescription Tips. Professional Issues and Research at "www.ada.org/prof/prac/issues/index.html" provides links to a variety of ADA.org pages, including dental parameters, the ADA Survey Center, and ADA guidelines, positions and statements.
