Unveiling the Digital Deficit: Assessing Computer Literacy among Medical and Dental Students at a Private Institution of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Unveiling the Digital Deficit: Assessing Computer Literacy among Medical and Dental Students at a Private Institution of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Noor ul Ain Arshad Department of Forensic Medicine, Avicenna Medical & Dental College, Lahore
  • Fakhir Fatima Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute, Lahore
  • Mavrah Zafar Department of Paediatrics, Avicenna Medical College & Hospital, Lahore
  • Vaneeza Arshad Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad
  • Gulfreen Waheed Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Avicenna Medical College & Hospital, Lahore.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v30i3.5739

Keywords:

Computer Literacy, Digital Skills,, Medical Students, Curriculum Integration, Online Learning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Abstract

Background: This study explores the level of computer literacy among medical and dental students at a private institution in Pakistan.

Objective: To identify the discrepancies and address the need for technological proficiency in modern healthcare education.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study involving 400 randomly sampled participants. The questionnaires consisted of demographic information, computer accessibility, and a pre-validated questionnaire to assess computer literacy, which comprised 24 items across six divisions. The data were gathered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results: Results showed that while computer accessibility was high (84.5%), its primary use was personal, with limited application for academic purposes. Familiarity was highest with Microsoft Word (48.3%), contrasting with lower proficiency in Microsoft Excel (30%). Limited understanding of computer hardware (31.3%) was noted, reflecting a potential gap in computer literacy skills. The study identified a strong association between early computer access and prior education with current computer literacy. Deficiencies in computer literacy were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, where inadequate skills hindered the abrupt shift to online learning. The study emphasizes the necessity for integrating computer literacy into medical education curricula, promoting structured training, and fostering the medical faculty.

Conclusion: The findings reflect limitations in computer literacy among medical and dental students. We explored the challenges and barriers and suggested strategies for improvement to prepare future healthcare professionals for the challenges of modern healthcare. 

References

Hindi NM, Miller D, Wenger J. Computer literacy: Implications for teaching a college-level course. J Inf Syst Educ. 2002;13(2):143.

Topol E. The Topol review: Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future. 2019;1-48.

Park JC, Kwon HJ, Chung CW. Innovative digital tools for new trends in teaching and assessment methods in medical and dental education. J Educ Eval Health Prof 2021;18(1):13

Ranasinghe P, Wickramasinghe SA, Pieris WA, Karunathilake I, Constantine GR. Computer literacy among first year medical students in a developing country: A cross-sectional study. BMC Res Notes. 2012;5(1):1-8.

Ali S, Alam BF, Farooqi F, Almas K, Noreen S. Dental and medical students’ knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan. Eur J Dent. 2020;14(S 01):S97-S104.

Morton CE, Smith SF, Lwin T, George M, Williams M. Computer programming: should medical students be learning it. JMIR Med Educ. 2019;5(1):e11940.

Kubben PL, Looije P, Scherpbier A, van Merode F. Teaching computer programming to medical doctors, nurses and hospital staff: a pilot study. OAJNN. 2017;4(2):555632.

Mahdizadeh F, Mahdizadeh F, Tatari M, Sheykhtayefeh M. The relationship between health literacy and computer literacy among Torbat Heydarieh Students of Medical Sciences. Payavard Salamat. 2021;15(2):118-126.

Ferdoush J, Biswas RS, Khan IU, Momtaz T, Alam J, Morshed MM, et al. Information and communication technology in medical education: A survey among medical students of Bangladesh. J Sci Soc. 2021;48(3):165-70.

Prabhavathi K, Ramraj B, Kumar GT, Saravanan A. Knowledge and perspective on the application of computer and Internet in medical curriculum among first-year medical students. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020;10(08):609-613.

Khan RU, Khan A, Anwar M. Computer literacy and academic performance in universities of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Gomal Univ J Res. 2023;39(2):147-55.

Lin TC. A computer literacy scale for newly enrolled nursing college students: development and validation. J Nurs Res. 2011;19(4):305.

Foruzandeh N, Delaram M, Deris F, Foruzandeh M, Darakhshandeh S. Information literacy and use of information technology by students in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Interdiscip J Virtual Learn Med Sci. 2017;7(1).

Robabi H, Arbabisarjou A. Computer literacy among students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Glob J Health Sci. 2015;7(4):136.

Jadoon NA, Zahid MF, Mansoorulhaq H, Ullah S, Jadoon BA, Raza A, et al. Evaluation of internet access and utilization by medical students in Lahore, Pakistan. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2011;11(1):1-7.

Masood SA, Khan RA, Waheed GU. Computer literacy among the medical staff at Avicenna Medical College and Hospital. J Nurs Econ. 2010;16(2):33.

Jain R, Dupare R, Bhanushali N, Kumar V. Knowledge and utilization of computer among health-care professionals in Mumbai. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent. 2020;18(1):97-102.

Azim SR, Nisar M, Baig M, Azfar SM, Azim SN, Anwar A. Experiences of virtual teaching during COVID-19 in medical institutes of Karachi, Pakistan: teachers’ perspective. J Pak Med Assoc. 2022;72(2223).

Mushtaque I, Awais-E-Yazdan M, Waqas H. Technostress and medical students’ intention to use online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan: The moderating effect of computer self-efficacy. Cogent Educ. 2022;9(1):2102118.

Almarzooq ZI, Lopes M, Kochar A. Virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a disruptive technology in graduate medical education. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(20):2635-8.

Naik Bijaya N, Knungo S, Rangasamy S. Level of motivation for learning among undergraduate medical students: An explorative study from Pondicherry, South India. Indian J. Prev. Soc. Med. 2020;51(4):212.

Downloads

Published

09/30/2024

How to Cite

Arshad, N. ul A., Fatima, F., Zafar, M., Arshad, V., & Waheed, G. (2024). Unveiling the Digital Deficit: Assessing Computer Literacy among Medical and Dental Students at a Private Institution of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Annals of King Edward Medical University, 30(3), 269–276. https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v30i3.5739

Issue

Section

Research Articles

Similar Articles

> >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Loading...