A surgical Internet discussion list (Surginet) - A novel venue for international communication among surgeons

Background: Internet discussion lists, also known as mailing lists, are subject-specific groups that are participated in and distributed by e-mail. Medical mailing lists have not been warmly received by the peer-reviewed medical literature. Objective: To demonstrate the potential value of medical discussion lists on the Internet through a description of Surginet, the largest such mailing list dealing with general surgery, and a survey of its participants. Our hypothesis is that Internet discussion lists fill a unique niche in dissemination of medical information. Design: A retrospective review of the electronic activities of one medical mailing list, and an e-mail questionnaire survey of its membership's demographics and practice patterns. Participants: Four hundred eighty-nine subscribers to Surginet from 46 countries. Main Outcome Measures: Electronic activity of the list, subscribers' demographics, and subscribers' perceptions concerning the list's activities and its value. Results: Surginet currently has 489 subscribers from 46 countries. During 1997 an average of 12.5 messages per day and 375 per month were posted, all dealing with topics in general surgery. Completed questionnaires were received from 190 subscribers (39%), of which 93% are men and 73% are between the ages of 30 and 50 years practicing in 38 countries; 84% are practicing surgeons and 13% are surgical residents. Most (59%) are "passive" members who read, but do not actively participate in, the discussions. Improving knowledge base, interaction with other surgeons, and obtaining consults were the most common reasons given for list subscription. Conclusions: Groups such as Surginet fill a niche involving the free exchange of ideas, methods, and;attitudes relevant to the current practice of general surgery, which is different from the way medical information is disseminated by published literature and organized medical meetings. There is a perception among list subscribers that this is a valuable and useful modality for continuing education.