PLink, plastic surgery and the Internet.

The Internet is a fast growing, global computer network that is easy to access at a low cost. This form of communication allows rapid electronic exchange of information such as text, pictures, animations, video and sound. This offers physicians an opportunity to enhance the quality of patient care, research and communication with colleagues. Patients who previously had limited access to information concerning diseases and treatment options are now able to find medical information on the Internet. The quality of information found on the Internet varies widely, from the most up-to-date protocols, produced by leading physicians and surgeons, to out of date or inaccurate recommendations. Faced with an enormous quantity of information of variable quality, guidelines certified by recognised medical organisations are essential to provide websites with valuable information. This so-called "safe house principle" creates reliable places on the Internet ("safe houses") that are generally accepted and trusted for containing valid information. We have created such a "safe house" on plastic surgical topics for the Netherlands Society for Plastic Surgery called "PLink" (the Plastic Surgery link). Its goals are: 1. to provide a well-organised list of existing plastic surgery Internet resources; 2. to improve communication; and 3. to provide original information on plastic surgical subjects for patients and physicians. Professionals always review the content. Since July 1996 our files have been accessed over 1.3 million times in 17 months, with the visit rate increasing from 1470 in July 1996 to 4200 in March 1997 and remaining stable since then. This indicates that there is a growing need for high quality information on plastic surgery on the Internet.