The Internet is the newest and one of the most powerful communications media today. This study evaluates the utility of dissemination of educational information and exchange of ideas related to trauma at a single site on the Internet. A World Wide Web server on a desktop computer provided a library of downloadable medical software, trauma prevention information, and patient case studies.
Results: Most server accesses came from connections at other educational institutions (29.6%). Connections by foreign clients accounted for 17.9% of use. Over a 6-month period, the usage increased from an average of 80 files transmitted per day to 600 per day (750% increase).
Conclusions: A trauma and surgical critical care related data server has shown a progressive increase in use in its initial period. Further development by other trauma care providers will be of value in educating the health care community and lay public.