Objectives

• Enhance existing knowledge of practical applications of the web
• Learn techniques to optimize web browser use
• Further refine web research strategies and techniques
• Explore some e-mail techniques and review security issues
• Learn how to locate discussion groups and the resources associated with them, such as archives.
• Become aware of how to access further resources and self-training opportunities.

Agenda

1. Welcome and introductions (10 min.)

 
2. Review of Web and Browser Basics (10 min.)

 
• Understanding the browser interface
• Exploring the menus
• Understanding the URL
• Finding and following links on a page

 
• HANDS-ON Exercise: Site exploration highlighting applications in patient care, practice management, and continuing education (30 min.)

 
3. Optimizing Web Browser Use (15 min.)

 
• Adjusting preferences
• Controlling your "cookies"
• Changing your homepage
• Changing the appearance of the browser window
• Managing bookmarks and using the history folder.
• Managing your bookmarks online using myHq.com.

 
4. Search Tools and Strategies (10 min)

 
• Sharing search experiences
• Understanding the difference between Metasites and Search engines

 
• HANDS-ON Exercise: Guided Searching (Metasites) (30 min.)

Fifteen minute break


• Review of search engines (5 min.)
• Understanding their limitations
• Developing a strategy appropriate to the question

 
• HANDS-ON Exercise: Search Engines (20 min.)

 
5. Judging Quality (5 min.)

 
• Basic criteria for evaluation (see Criteria for Evaluating Web Sites handout)

 
6.  MEDLINE access (5 min.)

 
• Introduction

 
• HANDS-ON Exercise: Knowledge Quest, PubMed and Internet Grateful Med (25 min.)
 
7. Electronic Mail (see Basic e-mail handout and Advanced e-mail handout) (5 min.)

 
• Managing your e-mail
• The use of address books and e-mail filters.
• Discuss some of the promise and pitfall of using e-mail for physician - patient interaction.
• Basics of e-mail encryption and user verification
• Retrieving your e-mail while away.

 
• HANDS-ON Exercise: Using HotMail (www.hotmail.com) Exercise under revision. (15 min.)

 
8. Wrapup, evaluations, practice time (10 Min.)

 
• Explore some other interesting web sites in your Selected Web Sites handout.
• Find out more information about e-mail by browsing some of the websites in the E-Mail: Web Sites handout.