Gastroenterology and the Internet.

BACKGROUND: The Internet has come to play a significant role in health care across the world. Simple specific how-to-use information about the Internet for Gastroenterologists is lacking in the literature. AIM: To explain the origin, functions, use and impact of the Internet and to provide a list of important web site addresses related to Gastroenterology. METHODS: We undertook a detailed scan of the Internet and identified a large number of web sites pertaining to Gastroenterology. The sites were then thoroughly searched to evaluate their potential usefulness to Gastroenterology clinicians and researchers. A list of web site addresses were then compiled according to specific sub-areas of Gastroenterology. CONCLUSION: This overview of Internet and compliation of important web site addresses is expected to stimulate and instruct Gastroenterologists in the use of the Net in health care delivery and research. The list of web sites according to subspecialities provided in this article is expected to facilitate their search.