Use of the Internet among Health Care Professionals in a Rural Medical College in India

Abstract

A study was conducted at Pramukhswami Medical College and Shree Krishna Hospital in Karamsad, Gujarat, India, from June 2007 to August 2007 to assess computer and Internet knowledge and usage among affiliated health care professionals in order to understand their information-seeking behavior. Search habits of Internet users at Pramukhswami Medical College and Shree Krishna Hospital were identified via a questionnaire. Results showed that all respondents used the Internet frequently for various purposes: accessing online journals, downloading text, chatting, participating in discussions, managing e-mail, and finding related references. It was determined that the professionals received quality information through the Internet and that Google and Yahoo! search engines were more widely used compared to other search engines. The study revealed high computer usage among health care professionals at institutions with good computer facilities. The majority expressed their willingness to undergo further training.

KEYWORDS:

• India
• information-seeking behavior
• Internet access
• Internet usage
• Pramukhswami Medical College
• questionnaires
• search engines
• search strategies
• Shree Krishna Hospital
• surveys

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mayank Trivedi

Dr. Mayank Trivedi ([email protected]) is University Librarian, Sardar Patel University, Vallabhvidyanagar-388120, Gujarat, India. Dr. Anuradha Joshi is Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad-388325, Gujarat, India.