Soon medical literature, board certification, continuing medical education, and patient education will all be computer based. To use any of the information, you'll need a connection to phone lines that bring it to your computer. A modem provides this connection. Buy a modem Avoid modems that are built onto a card and installed into your computer. Instead, look for an external modem-a separate piece of equipment that sits next to the computer.
External modems are much easier to install, use, and fix.
Most popular brand name modems conform to certain standards and are so comparable that the brand you choose isn't critical. Do make sure that you get a hook up cable. Sometimes one is included with the modem but not always, so ask the salesperson whether you need to buy a cable separately. Better yet, consider a 28,800-BPS modem, which is quickly becoming the new standard in speed. Most modems purchased these days use a standard set of commands.