Computer literacy among first year medical students in a developing country: A cross sectional study

BMC Research Notes

Godwin R Constantine¹  Indika Karunathilake³  WA Rasanga Pieris³  Sashimali A Wickramasinghe³  Priyanga Ranasinghe² 

[1] Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka;Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka;Medical Education and Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

关键词: Developing country;    Sri Lanka;    Medical undergraduates;    Computer literacy;   

Others  :  1165705
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-5-504

 received in 2012-02-21, accepted in 2012-09-13,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

The use of computer assisted learning (CAL) has enhanced undergraduate medical education. CAL improves performance at examinations, develops problem solving skills and increases student satisfaction. The study evaluates computer literacy among first year medical students in Sri Lanka.

Methods

The study was conducted at Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka between August-September 2008. First year medical students (n = 190) were invited for the study. Data on computer literacy and associated factors were collected by an expert-validated pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Computer literacy was evaluated by testing knowledge on 6 domains; common software packages, operating systems, database management and the usage of internet and E-mail. A linear regression was conducted using total score for computer literacy as the continuous dependant variable and other independent covariates.

Results

Sample size-181 (Response rate-95.3%), 49.7% were Males. Majority of the students (77.3%) owned a computer (Males-74.4%, Females-80.2%). Students have gained their present computer knowledge by; a formal training programme (64.1%), self learning (63.0%) or by peer learning (49.2%). The students used computers for predominately; word processing (95.6%), entertainment (95.0%), web browsing (80.1%) and preparing presentations (76.8%). Majority of the students (75.7%) expressed their willingness for a formal computer training programme at the faculty.

Mean score for the computer literacy questionnaire was 48.4 ± 20.3, with no significant gender difference (Males-47.8 ± 21.1, Females-48.9 ± 19.6). There were 47.9% students that had a score less than 50% for the computer literacy questionnaire. Students from Colombo district, Western Province and Student owning a computer had a significantly higher mean score in comparison to other students (p < 0.001). In the linear regression analysis, formal computer training was the strongest predictor of computer literacy (β = 13.034), followed by using internet facility, being from Western province, using computers for Web browsing and computer programming, computer ownership and doing IT (Information Technology) as a subject in GCE (A/L) examination.

Conclusion

Sri Lankan medical undergraduates had a low-intermediate level of computer literacy. There is a need to improve computer literacy, by increasing computer training in schools, or by introducing computer training in the initial stages of the undergraduate programme. These two options require improvement in infrastructure and other resources.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Ranasinghe et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Lau F, Bates J: A review of e-learning practices for undergraduate medical education. J Med Syst 2004, 28(1):71-87.
• [2]Elves AW, Ahmed M, Abrams P: Computer-assisted learning; experience at the Bristol Urological Institute in the teaching of urology. Br J Urol 1997, 80(Suppl 3):59-62.
• [3]Summers AN, Rinehart GC, Simpson D, Redlich PN: Acquisition of surgical skills: a randomized trial of didactic, videotape, and computer-based training. Surgery 1999, 126(2):330-336.
• [4]Serin O: The effects of the computer-based instruction on the achievement and problem solving skills of the science and technology students. Turk J Educ Technol 2011, 10(1):184-201.
• [5]Woltering V, Herrler A, Spitzer K, Spreckelsen C: Blended learning positively affects students' satisfaction and the role of the tutor in the problem-based learning process: results of a mixed-method evaluation. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract 2009, 14(5):725-738.
• [6]Cantillon P, Irish B, Sales D: Using computers for assessment in medicine. BMJ 2004, 329(7466):606-609.
• [7]Dev P, Hoffer EP, Barnett GO: Computers in Medical Education. In Medical Informatics: Computer Applications in Health Care and Biomedicine. 2nd edition. Edited by Shortliffe EH, Perrault LE. New York: Springer; 2001:610-637.
• [8]Kerfoot BP, Masser BA, Hafler JP: Influence of new educational technology on problem-based learning at Harvard Medical School. Med Educ 2005, 39(4):380-387.
• [9]Ameh N, Kene TS, Ameh EA: Computer knowledge amongst clinical year medical students in a resource poor setting. Afr Health Sci 2008, 8(1):40-43.
• [10]Inamdar SC, Rotti SB: Computer use among medical students in an institution in southern India. Natl Med J India 2004, 17:8-10.
• [11]Osman LM, Muir AL: Computer skills and attitudes to computer-aided learning among medical students. Med Educ 1994, 28(5):381-385.
• [12]Census of population and housing 2001, Population, Intercensal growth and average annual rate of growth by district, 1981 and 2001http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/PDF/Population/p9p1%20Growth.pdf webcite
• [13]Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka: Household computer literacy survey of Sri Lanka: 2006/07. Colombo: Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka; 2009.
• [14]Uragoda CG: A history of medicine in Sri Lanka - from the earliest time to 1948. Colombo: Sri Lanka Medical Association; 1987.
• [15]Ranasinghe P, Wickramasinghe SA, Wickramasinghe R, Olupeliyawa A, Karunathilaka I: The students' voice: Strengths and weaknesses of an undergraduate medical curriculum in a developing country, a qualitative study. BMC Res Notes 2011, 4:256. BioMed Central Full Text
• [16]Dorup J: Experience and attitude towards information technology among first year medical students in Denmark: Longitudinal questionnaire study. J Med Internet Res 2004, 6:e10.
• [17]Link TM, Marz R: Computer literacy and attitudes towards e-learning among first year medical students. BMC Med Educ 2006, 6:34. BioMed Central Full Text
• [18]Lee WR: Computer-based learning in medical education: a critical view. J Am Coll Radiol 2006, 3(10):793-798.
• [19]Samuel M, Coombes JC, Miranda JJ, Melvin R, Young EJ, Azarmina P: Assessing computer skills in Tanzanian medical students: an elective experience. BMC Public Health 2004, 4:37. BioMed Central Full Text
• [20]Gibson KE, Silverberg M: A two-year experience teaching computer literacy to first-year medical students using skill-based cohorts. Bull Med Libr Assoc 2000, 88(2):157-164.
• [21]Stokes CW, Cannavina C, Cannavina G: The state of readiness of student health professionals for web-based learning environments. Health Informatics J 2004, 10(3):195-204.
• [22]United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO): Regional overview -South and West Asia. In EFA Global Monitoring Report 2008. Paris: UNESCO Publishing; 2008.