The Effect of Domain on Usage Patterns and Perceptions of the Internet: Focusing on Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Several studies have explored user perceptions of the Internet. These studies gathered demographic data, likes, dislikes, and ideas for changes that would make the World-Wide Web more effective and appealing. Unfortunately, the sampling strategies utilized in these previous studies result in biases toward more experienced Internet users. This is acceptable if the users of your system are familiar with the Internet, but provides little useful information about less experienced users. In this study we replicated portions of an earlier study with a new user population by exploring usage patterns and perceptions of the Internet and WWW within the healthcare industry. Our results differ significantly from those reported earlier highlighting the importance of the sampling strategy utilized when gathering such information. When compared to the results of the previous study, healthcare professionals use the Internet less; expressed different likes, dislikes, and difficulties; had less confidence in their knowledge about the WWW tools they use; and felt that different enhancements would be useful.