Computer Literacy Among Students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction:The need for medical students to be computer literate is vital. With the rapid integration of information technology (IT) in the health care field, equipping students of medical universities withcomputer competencies to effectively use are needed. The purpose of this study was to assess computer literacy (CL) needs of medical sciences students.Methods:This is descriptive-analytic. The population of the study comprised all students at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. 385 students from allschools (Medicine, dentistry, paramedics, health, rehabilitation, nursing and midwifery) were selected through randomized- classified sampling. For data collecting, the Lin Tung- Cheng questionnaire was used which it contained 24 items in six sections. The obtained data analyzed by SPSS 15.Results:The results showed that the 77.1% had personal computer. The total mean of students’ computer literacy around six domains was 141.9±49.5 out of 240. The most familiarity with computers was the ability to it in internet (29.0±11.4) and the lowest was familiarity and using ability of hard ware (17.5±10.6). There was a significant relationship between passing the Computer lesson (P=0.001), passing Computer course (P=0.05) and having personal computer (P=0.001) with the mean of computer literacy.Discussion:In sum, the medical sciences students’ familiarity with computer literacy was not satisfactory and they had not appropriate familiarity with computer literacy skills. The researchers suggest the officials and in-charges to plan educational program for improving computer literacy skills in medical sciences students.

Health Sciences Students’ Self-Assessment of Information and Communication Technology Skills and Attitude Toward e-Learning

“…This could indicate that Web browsing is a common skill among people who use computer technology. This result is consistent with those of previous studies that found Web browsing is on top priority when searching for information [ 11 , 12 ]. The results of the tutors’ assessments of the students further complemented these findings and confirmed the competency of most of the students (average grade=85%) in using computer programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).…”

“…Furthermore, countries in the Middle East, such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have implemented different ICT tools, which have improved the students’ leaning experience [ 5 - 8 ]. In Iran, the impact of digital technologies applications on education has been studied [ 9 , 10 ], with particular attention on ICT literacy of medical students [ 11 , 12 ]. In Kuwait, research studies at Kuwait University found into information literacy and Internet use among students [ 13 ] and effectiveness of e-learning on learning environment [ 14 ].…”

Informatics literacy among first-year students of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy at the University of Nis in compliance with European Computer Driving Licence

“…Despite an upbringing in a digitized world, many students still lack some basic computing skills [29,30]. Recent surveys in different countries have also declared that biomedical sciences students' IL was unsatisfactory [31,32,33]. IL skills have become a necessity and an integral part of preparing tomorrow's doctors to be sufficiently competent to use informatics resources effectively and efficiently for the best practice of biomedical sciences [34,35].…”

The impact of new information services on teaching, learning and research at the University of Zululand Library

“…Authors such as Adeleke and Emeahara (2016) and Robabi and Arbabisarjou (2015) have suggested that there is a causal relationship between computer literacy and the use of e-resources -that the more computer literate the students, the larger the increase in the use of e-resources. The problem of computer literacy at UNIZULU negatively affects the implementation and effective use of the E-learning Management System (ELMS), Moodle, which is used by the university.…”