An international comparison of computer networks’ use and potential use

Abstract

This paper explores nursing organizations’ experiences, views and policies on computer networks; their ability to access such networks; and to what uses nursing organizations can put the Internet and other networks. There were significant differences between poor and rich countries with respect to access to networking facilities, but not with respect to opinions of the use or potential use of networking. Roughly two-fifths of nursing organizations had access to either the Internet or a local area network (LAN). Richer countries were more likely to have access to both the Internet and LANs. About a half of organizations had email, but only about a quarter accessed email lists. About two-fifths used the World Wide Web (WWW) but only about a tenth had access to USENET newsgroups. There was a significant difference between rich and poor countries with respect to WWW and USENET, with richer countries having greater access. Training for nurses and policies for using computer networks were identified in few organizations, although the potential for computer networks was understood by most. Enthusiasm for using computer networks was particularly noted in poorer and geographically more remote countries. From a list of ten services available via the Internet, the network resource most valued by nursing organizations was online databases; the least valued was videoconferencing.