Majority of Western market PCPs using the Internet

Between 55% (in Germany) and 93% (in the United States) of PCPs have accessed the Internet, according to I.MD 2000, a global study conducted by Montreal-based P\S\L Research. Projections made based on stated future intentions indicate that by the second quarter of 2001, between 75% (in Germany and Italy) and 97% (in the United States) of primary care physicians will have accessed the Internet.

The international study was conducted through telephone calls with 1000 PCPs and an Internet-based study with roughly 750 PCPs who are confirmed Internet users.

According to P\S\L, however, knowing that a physician has ever used the Internet is only the first step in understanding how they are using it.

"Physicians are at various stages of development when it comes to using the Internet in their role as healthcare professionals," read a P\S\L statement. "For example, some physicians are using the Internet primarily to search for disease and drug information via general search engines, while others are referring regularly to specific Web sites, which provide a variety of medical information, tools and resources."

In addition to the role being played in seeking health-related information, communicating with other healthcare professionals and accessing various medical resources, the Internet is also playing a significant role in the relationship between the physician and his or her patient.

According to the study, between roughly 50% (in France, Italy and Spain) and 90% (in the United States) of online physicians are suggesting their patients use the Internet to obtain medical information. PR