Information-seeking behaviour and use of the Internet by French general practitioners: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies deal with the use of computers and the Internet in the health sector. Most of these studies show an increase in the use of the new technologies in searching for medical information-particularly by patients--but these uses remain very heterogeneous and depend on the studies.

Aims: The aim of this work was to consider the use of computers by French general practitioners (GPs) and to analyse the impact that computerization could have on their information-seeking behaviour.

Methods: The nature of the approach used is qualitative using interviews.

Results: Most of the GPs interviewed are equipped with a computer. The policies of the government were supposed to give financial incentives for GPs to start using computers for the management of administrative procedures, but many physicians do not know how to use the new tools properly. Their computers are, in most cases, underused for searching for medical information. Most of the time, the Internet sources are thought to be unreliable.

Conclusion: This study sheds light on the use of computers and the preferences of GPs in searching for medical information.