The Internet and the Pediatrician: Should There Be a Connection?

The Internet, an extensive network of interlinked computers storing immense quantities of information, is growing exponentially. The author was interested in discovering what sources of information exist on this network that might be of importance to the pediatric health care provider. To accomplish this aim, a literature review was undertaken, relevant articles were studied, and the Internet and its own resources were used to seek out information that might be helpful to pediatric practitioners. Many interesting resources of potential importance to the pediatric health care provider were found and are described in this paper. Besides being an important storehouse of documents, images, and factual information, the Internet has, in addition, communication facilities, such as e-mail and Listserv, that make it a particularly useful resource. It seems prudent that all pediatric practitioners should have some form of access to the Internet.