Patient use of the Internet to obtain health information.

With increasing use of the internet by patients, questions are being raised in the press and by professionals on whether members of the public may be harming themselves by gaining access to previously hidden material. A search of the literature from a variety of sources revealed that the evidence was conflicting. Because the internet is here to stay, it is suggested that health professionals use it in partnership with patients, at the same time acknowledging its pitfalls.