Table 1.
Comparison of electronic health information sources Ptolemy and the World Health Organization's HINARI
| Characteristic | Ptolemy | HINARI |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 100 individuals (all active) | 438 institutions (100 active)16 |
| Target group | East African surgeons | Health workers world wide |
| Delivery system | Access from home and work | Access through institutional library only |
| Resources | Library based: full text access to international, regional, and local journals; online texts, Bioline International; Cochrane Library | Publisher based: 1200 full text journals |
| Information flow | North to South, South to North, South to South | North to South |
| Cost of project | $20 000 (£12 500) to date, $12 000 (£7500) annually | Not known |
| Cost to participants | May pay for own internet connection | Free to institutions in poorest countries; $1000/year in middle income countries |
| Evaluation | User surveys and URL analysis | Not known |
| Growth potential | Replication | Expansion |