A study conducted in a primary care internal medicine practice found that 53.5% of 512 surveyed patients used the Internet for health information. These patients were more educated and had higher incomes. They sought information on a wide range of medical topics, including nutrition, drug side effects, and complementary medicine. Sixty percent of respondents believed the information on the Internet was as good as or better than that from their doctors. However, 59% of those using the Internet for health information did not discuss it with their doctors. Patients who shared their Web searches with their doctors rated the quality of the information higher than those who did not. The study highlights the increasing use of the Internet as a source of medical information by patients. It suggests that primary care providers should be prepared to offer suggestions for Web-based health resources and help patients evaluate the quality of medical information available online. The study also notes that patients may not share their Web searches with their doctors, which could affect the quality of care. Despite the availability of many reliable medical websites, patients may encounter misleading or inaccurate information online. Therefore, it is important for physicians to be aware of the sources of health information available online and to guide patients in finding reliable material. Physicians should routinely inquire about their patients' use of the Internet to obtain medical information and be prepared to offer suggestions for Web-based health resources.A study conducted in a primary care internal medicine practice found that 53.5% of 512 surveyed patients used the Internet for health information. These patients were more educated and had higher incomes. They sought information on a wide range of medical topics, including nutrition, drug side effects, and complementary medicine. Sixty percent of respondents believed the information on the Internet was as good as or better than that from their doctors. However, 59% of those using the Internet for health information did not discuss it with their doctors. Patients who shared their Web searches with their doctors rated the quality of the information higher than those who did not. The study highlights the increasing use of the Internet as a source of medical information by patients. It suggests that primary care providers should be prepared to offer suggestions for Web-based health resources and help patients evaluate the quality of medical information available online. The study also notes that patients may not share their Web searches with their doctors, which could affect the quality of care. Despite the availability of many reliable medical websites, patients may encounter misleading or inaccurate information online. Therefore, it is important for physicians to be aware of the sources of health information available online and to guide patients in finding reliable material. Physicians should routinely inquire about their patients' use of the Internet to obtain medical information and be prepared to offer suggestions for Web-based health resources.