Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Internet-Based Information Seeking Behaviour and Utilisation by Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria


Affiliations
1 Nimbe Adedipe Library, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
2 Gani Belo Library, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Nigeria
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The paper surveys the Internet-based information seeking behaviour and utilisation by doctors in Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was designed to elicit the desired information. One hundred and fifty (150) copies of the questionnaire were administered on the doctors with the cooperation and assistance of the librarians at the centre. Ninety eight (98) copies of the questionnaires were completed, returned and used for this study, which represents (65.3%) response rate. The finding revealed that nearly all the doctors have access to the Internet, know how to use it and it affords them the opportunity of applying ideas gained from the use of Internet-based information to improves their work activities. The finding also reported inadequate infrastructure to support Internet information resources utilization. The study therefore recommended that hospital management should endeaviour to overhaul their infrastructural facilities as this will motivate doctors to utilize bulks of knowledge emanating from the Internet.

Keywords

Internet-Based Information, Information Seeking Behaviour, Information Utilisation, Medical Doctors, South-West Nigeria.
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Adedibu, L. and Adio, G. (1997). Information needs and information seeking patterns of medical students at Lautech, Ogbomoso. Aslib Proceedings, 49(9); p. 238-242.
  • Adeogun, Margret (2003). The digital divide and university education systems in sub Saharan Africa. African Journal of Library, Archival & Information Science, 13.1; p. 11-20.
  • Ajegbomogun, F.O. (2007). Impediments to Harnessing Scholarly Electronic Journals on the Internet in Developing Countries: A Nigerian University Case Study. Library Hi Tech News. 24(6), p. 27-31.
  • Burton, K. A., Howard and Beveridge, M. (2005). Relevance of electronic health information to doctors in the developing world: results of the Ptolemy Project's Internet-based health information study (IBHIS). World Journal of Surgery. 29,1194-1198.
  • Butler, H. Julene. (1994). Where does scholarly electronic publishing get you? Journal of scholarly publishing, 26(4); p. 174-186.
  • Casebeer, L., Benneth, N. Kristofco, Carillo, M.A. and Centor, R. (2002).Physician Internet Medical Information seeking and on-line continuing education use patterns. The Journal of Continuing Education in Health Professions. 22; p. 33-42.
  • , Ehikhafflenor, F,A, (2003), Internet resources and productivity in scientific researcli in Jiigerian imenitiea. Journal of Information Science. 29(2); p. 107-115,
  • , Federal Medical Centre Handbook, (2002), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun-State, Nigeria,
  • , Gbadamosi, B.O (2005), Comparative study of information requirements, seeking Strategies and utilization of educational administrator and medical doctors in Oyo state,Nigeria, Owena Journal of Library and Information Science, 2 (1); p, 10-24
  • , Gardner, M, (1997). Information retrieval for patient care, British Medical Journal, 314(7085): Mar, 29; p. 950-3
  • , Hamad, Steven. (1997), Learned inquiry and the need: the role of peer review, peer commentary and copyright. Learning publishing, 4(1); p, 283-292
  • , Ibegwan, A. (2002). Internet communication: e-mail and medical information science and technology for library schools in AA-ica Madu, C.E and Dirisu, M.B. (ed) Ibadan. Evi-Coleman,
  • ,Kakai, J,M,, Ikoja-Odongo, R,, and Kigongo-Bukenya, LM.N, (2004). A study of the information seeking behavior of undergraduate students of Makerere University, Uganda. World Libraries, 14(1). Available: http://www.worlib.org/voll4nol/print/kakaij)rint.html
  • Manhas, R, (2009), Use of Internet and electronic resources for dental science information: A c&seSUidy. Library Philosophy and Practice, Ketriewed April!, 2009 from http://www.webpages,uidaho,edu/~mbolin/manhas.htm
  • McGarry, K.J. (1988). He changing context of information and information analysis. London: Clive Bingley.
  • ,Menachemi, N., Powers, T.L. and Brooks, R.G. (2009). The role of information technology usage in physician practice satisfaction. Health Care Manage Rev. 34(4); p. 364-371.
  • Mukherjee-Das, M. (2009). Appraisal of India situation-effective utilization of ICT in Indial perspective. Available athttp;//www.articlebase.com/author/mou-mukherjee-das/l 7347.htm Accessed on 20/4/2010
  • Nweke, K.M.C. (1993), Use of information source by pre- clinical faculty members of the Maiduguri Medical College, Nigeria, Leading Libraries and Information Centres, 1(2); p. 14-18.
  • Pettigrew, K. E. (1996), Modeling the information seeking of professionals. Library Quarterly, 66(2);p. l6-93.
  • Turner, J,W. Robinson, J,D, Alaoui, A. et al, (2003). Media attitude vs use: the contribution of the context to the communication environment in telemedicine. Health Care Management Review, 28(2); p. 95-6.
  • Vakkari, Pertti, (2008), Perceived influence of the use of electronic information resources on scholarly work and publication productivity. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 59(4); p. 602-612.
  • Wilson, T.D. (2001). Human information behavior. Informing Sciences, 3(2); p. 49-55.

Abstract Views: 237

PDF Views: 0




  • Internet-Based Information Seeking Behaviour and Utilisation by Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract Views: 237  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Fredrick Olatunji Ajegbomogun
Nimbe Adedipe Library, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Veronica Olufunmilola Ajegbomogun
Gani Belo Library, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract


The paper surveys the Internet-based information seeking behaviour and utilisation by doctors in Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was designed to elicit the desired information. One hundred and fifty (150) copies of the questionnaire were administered on the doctors with the cooperation and assistance of the librarians at the centre. Ninety eight (98) copies of the questionnaires were completed, returned and used for this study, which represents (65.3%) response rate. The finding revealed that nearly all the doctors have access to the Internet, know how to use it and it affords them the opportunity of applying ideas gained from the use of Internet-based information to improves their work activities. The finding also reported inadequate infrastructure to support Internet information resources utilization. The study therefore recommended that hospital management should endeaviour to overhaul their infrastructural facilities as this will motivate doctors to utilize bulks of knowledge emanating from the Internet.

Keywords


Internet-Based Information, Information Seeking Behaviour, Information Utilisation, Medical Doctors, South-West Nigeria.

References