Introduction to internet use

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a massive, global network connecting millions of computers, allowing them to communicate with each other and share information. Think of it as a worldwide library, post office, and marketplace all in one. It is a powerful tool for learning, communication, and research, especially in the field of healthcare.

The World Wide Web (WWW or "the Web") is the most popular part of the Internet. It is a collection of websites and pages that you can access using a web browser.

Getting Connected: Tools You Need

1. A Web Browser

A web browser is the essential application software you use to access and view websites. It acts as your "window" to the internet.

2. A Search Engine

The internet is huge. A search engine is a special website that helps you find information by searching for keywords. You do not need to know a website's exact address; the search engine will find it for you.

• Most Popular Search Engine: Google (www.google.com). Others include Bing and Yahoo.
• How it works: You type a question or keywords into the search box, and the search engine gives you a list of results (links to web pages, images, videos) that it thinks are relevant.

Effective Searching for Health Information: A Critical Skill for Nurses

As a student nurse, you will often use the internet for research. It is vital that you learn how to find accurate and trustworthy information.

1. How to Formulate a Good Search Query

• Be Specific: Instead of searching for "malaria", try searching for "malaria symptoms in children under five".
• Use Keywords: Think of the most important words related to your topic.
• Use Quotation Marks (" "): To search for an exact phrase. For example, searching for "communicable disease control" will only give you results with that exact phrase.
• Use the minus sign (-): To exclude a word. For example, malaria treatment -quinine will find information about malaria treatment but exclude pages that mention quinine.

2. Evaluating the Quality of Online Information (CRITICAL!)

• Who is the author? Is it a doctor, a nurse, a government health organization, or just an anonymous person? Look for an "About Us" page.
• What is the purpose of the site? Is it to educate, or is it to sell a product? Be very careful of websites that are trying to sell you "miracle cures".
• Is the information current? Health information changes quickly. Look for a date on the article or page. Is it from this year or 10 years ago?
• Is the information based on evidence? Does the article cite its sources, like research studies or official guidelines?

3. Recommended Sources for Health Information

Always start your search with these types of reliable sources:

• Government Health Organizations: World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Uganda Ministry of Health.
• Professional Medical Organizations: Websites of well-known hospitals, medical schools, and nursing associations.
• Medical Research Databases: PubMed, Google Scholar (these provide access to scientific articles, which are more advanced but very reliable).

Electronic Mail (Email): Professional Communication

Email is a method of sending and receiving digital messages over the internet. It is a primary tool for professional communication.

Understanding an Email Address

An email address has two parts, separated by the "@" symbol. For example: j.auma@university.ac.ug

• j.auma: The user's unique name (the username).
• university.ac.ug: The domain name, which tells you where the email account is hosted (in this case, a university in Uganda).

Composing a Professional Email

• To: The main recipient's email address.
• Cc (Carbon Copy): Use this to send a copy of the email to someone else for their information. They are not the main recipient.
• Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy): Use this to send a copy to someone secretly. The other recipients will not see the Bcc address. Use this to protect people's privacy when emailing a large group.
• Subject: A short, clear title for your email. Never leave the subject blank! A good subject could be "Question about Clinical Placement" or "Submission of Case Study Report".
• Body: The main message. Start with a polite greeting (e.g., "Dear Dr. Okello,"), write your message clearly, and end with a professional closing (e.g., "Sincerely," or "Best regards,"), followed by your full name and student number.
• Attachments: Use the paperclip icon to attach files (like a Word document or a PDF) to your email.

Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship: Protecting Yourself and Others

Using the internet comes with responsibilities. You must protect your own information and respect others.

1. Protecting Your Personal Information

• Strong Passwords: Create long passwords with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (e.g., N@urs1ngIsGr8!). Do not use simple words like "password" or your name.
• Phishing Scams: Be very suspicious of emails that ask for your password, bank details, or personal information. These are often "phishing" scams, where criminals pretend to be a real company to trick you into giving them your data. Real companies will never ask for your password via email.
• Secure Websites (HTTPS): When you are on a website that requires a login or payment, look at the address bar. It should start with https:// and show a small padlock icon. The 'S' stands for 'Secure', meaning the information you send is encrypted and protected.

2. Understanding Malware

Malware (malicious software) is designed to harm your computer or steal your data.

• Viruses and Worms: Spread and damage your computer's files.
• Spyware: Secretly records what you do on your computer and sends the information to criminals.
• Ransomware: Locks up your files and demands a payment (a "ransom") to unlock them.

Protection: The best protection is to have good antivirus software installed and to be very careful about what you click on and what you download.

3. Being a Good Digital Citizen

• Be Respectful: The way you communicate online (in emails, social media, forums) reflects on you and your profession. Be polite and professional.
• Protect Patient Privacy: NEVER post any information about your patients online, even if you do not use their names. This includes pictures, descriptions of their condition, or stories about them. This is a major ethical and legal violation.
• Think Before You Post: Information posted online can be permanent. Do not post anything you would not want your future employer, your teachers, or your family to see.