The introduction of the internet into the healthcare system has expanded access to health information, making it easier for healthcare providers, patients, and society members to access healthcare services. This study aims to investigate the internet usage among medical personnel in Abuja general hospitals, focusing on the extent of their professional internet usage and the types of services they utilize. The research utilizes a mixed methods approach, employing surveys and interviews as research methods. A sample size of 322 out of a total population of 2056 was selected. The quantitative data reveals that 72.3% of respondents use the internet daily for work, a finding supported by qualitative data indicating that a majority of respondents use the internet daily for work purposes. Additionally, 63% of respondents use internet services to search and share general health information, professional information, drugs, and medications, a result also validated by qualitative data showing that most respondents use the internet for these purposes. Furthermore, 43.7% of respondents use Google Scholar for information search, while qualitative results indicate that the majority prefer Medscape. Moreover, 32.3% use WhatsApp as their primary social media platform for information sharing, a finding consistent with qualitative data indicating that most respondents use WhatsApp for work-related communication. The study concludes that the majority of medical personnel in Abuja general hospitals rely on internet services for accessing and sharing health information for patient care. As a recommendation, the study suggests that hospitals' management and related organizations should regularly conduct workshops to educate medical personnel on utilizing internet services effectively for professional purposes.
Vol. 3, No 2, pp. 106-115.