Use of the Internet by physicians in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE To determine the extent of the use of the Internet by physicians in Puerto Rico to support their clinical practice. METHODS Personal interviews were conducted among a representative sample of 385 physicians from different specialties and geographical regions in Puerto Rico. RESULTS Eighty-one percent physicians who participated in the survey reported the use the Internet in their practices. Rheumatologists, endocrinologists and cardiologists were the specialties with the highest usage rate. Internet use decreased as age of the physicians increased. The great majority of those who use the Internet do it from home (81%) followed by the office (68%). Almost two-thirds used dial-up to connect to the Internet at home or at office. The Internet was used mainly for professional purposes to look for references (92%), communicate with colleagues (33%) and obtain continuing education (31%). CONCLUSION There was a high Internet utilization rate among physicians in Puerto Rico, regardless of the specialty. The utilization rate was similar to that reported among physicians from other countries.