Information technology creeps into rural general practice.

This study looked at the effect of information technology on rural medical practice. Eight GPs in rural medical practice in Victoria were interviewed, and World Wide Web sites were accessed for information relevant to the rural GPs use of information technology. The results indicated that rural GPs are developing their use of information technology according to their needs. The use of information technology is changing the nature of rural medical practice, and bringing more support and information to rural GPs. However, some of the technologies now available are of little perceived use to the GPs, and GPs with good support staff are better able to take advantage of the technology than GPs with little or inadequate support. The findings of this study have implications for policies being implemented to increase the availability of information technology to support rural health care.