Health Administrator Vol: XVII, Number 1: 54-58, pg.
13. COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
OF FIRST YEAR MEDICAL AND DENTAL STUDENTS
AT CMC LUDHIANA
* Dr Rajiv Arora
Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine awareness,
level of use of computers and the use of the Internet for
medical research amongst first year medical and dental
students at the Christian Medical College Ludhiana. A self-
administered structured questionnaire was used.
In this study, 93.3% of the students could access
and use the computer. E-mail was the most popular of the
Internet services used by the students. The results indicate
that the students need formal training to use word
processor, PowerPoint and statistical analysis. Students
need formal training in accessing the medical databases
like Pubmed and Indmed. There is a need to expose the
students to online testing and training.
By knowing the level of technological experience that
medical students have when they arrive, CMC can utilize
the most appropriate strategies, methods, and resources
to help students meet these goals. This knowledge will
allow CMC to plan educational activities that address
deficiencies in knowledge, such as students having little
experience with computer literature searching, and to
organize training in response to student needs.
Introduction.
There have been tremendous advances in the
computing and information technology leading to
development of computer networks that allow access to
vast amount of information and services [1]
It is essential for the medical students to be computer
literate. Today, many medical schools require students to
purchase computers [2], and others are developing
strategies for integrating medical informatics into the
curriculum [3] The role of information technologies-including
using computerized medical records, retrieving computer-
based knowledge resources, and understanding the basics
of the Internet-is crucial for physicians [4]
The Association of American Medical Colleges’
(AAMC) states that "to practice medicine in the twenty-
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* Lecturer, Department of Physiology, CMC & H Ludhiana.
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first century, medical students ... must be given a strong
grounding in the use of computer technology to manage
information, support patient care decisions, select
treatments, and develop their abilities as lifelong learners"
[5]
.
Internet is one of the most important sources of
information. The Internet is being used for medical education
in diverse ways including teaching, diagnosis, and conduct
of medical examinations [6,7,8,9].
It is an important source of information for medical
research [10]. This mode of education has several advantages
over traditional method of instruction, the convenience of
taking a course at a time that fits students schedule and
at a place that they did not have to commute to attend [11].
Internet videoconferencing offers real-time interactive
classroom online [12].
The information available on the Internet can
overwhelm the students who lack the skills for verifying
the quality of information available on-line [13].
While several researches have explored the use of
computers and information technology by medical
students, few of such studies are currently available in
India. The aim of this study is to assess the level of
computer and Internet use amongst first year MBBS &
BDS students studying in CMC &CDC Ludhiana.
METHODOLOGY
The questionnaire was formulated with inputs from
instruments used by the University of North Carolina School
of Medicine and Informatics in Medical Education and
Development. Ninety, first year medical and dental students
of CMC &CDC Ludhiana were Surveyed with a written
questionnaire.
The aim of this study is to learn the students’ levels
of knowledge, skill, and experience with computer
technology to guide the teaching methodology and facilities.
The survey was administered after orientation. The
absentees were administered the survey separately.
RESULTS
The objectives, identified with inputs from AAMC
Medical School Objectives Project report [14], state that
medical students should be able to:
* Access computer-based instruction for self-study
learning in medical education;
* Utilize email, the Internet, and other online information
resources to obtain information quickly and efficiently;
* Search the medical literature using MEDLINE,
INDMED and other online full text and bibliographic
systems;
* Utilize diagnostic decision-support systems as an
additional method of learning medical diagnosis and
problem solving;
* Utilize patient information systems to manage
medical records in the practice of medicine; and
* Develop proficiency in completing computerized
examinations.
Use of computers
Results are summarized in Table 1
- 93.3% students could use a computer IBM pc or
compatible ,only 3.3% had used Apple Macintosh.
- 48.9% owned a computer and a similar percentage
accessed the computers in a cyber café, 12.23%
used the institutional computers. Only 6.67% did not
access a computer.
- 85.55% had no access to portable computers, 13.3%
had access to laptops and 5.56% to palmtops.
Basic skills
Results are summarized in Table 2
- 30% students had done a computer course before
joining the medical college.47.78% could use word
processor 34.45% could use power point.88.89% had
used the email and explored the Internet.
- 83.33%had used a search engine. Google (70%) was
the most popular search engine followed by Yahoo
(65.55%) & MSN (27.77%)
Advanced skills
Results are summarized Table 3
- Only 3.33% had searched the Internet for medical
literature using the public access databases.
- Only10% had used a statistical programme.1/3rd
claimed to have written a computer programme.4.44%
had a web page.
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- Only 4.44% had some form of online training while
28.89% had undergone online testing and
evaluation.75% students expressed eagerness to
participate in the development of computer based
instructional material.
Discussion
Our results show that access to computers is no
longer an issue. In this study, 93.3% of the students could
access and use the computer. This figure is higher than
61 % of medical students from Malaysia [15], 80% of final
year medical students from Lagos, Nigeria [16]. 84% of
undergraduate students in Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK)
[6]
. And similar to 94% of medical students from Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia [7] and 95% undergraduate dental students in
Oulu, Finland [8]. Only 14.45% had access to mini
computers due to the cost of ownership. With falling prices
this is bound to increase.
Only 30% had any basic training in computers, yet
more than 90 percent could use a computer. In the absence
of any formal training less than 50% could use word
processor or power point. E-mail was the most popular of
the Internet services used by the students. Access to this
service has increased in recent years in India due to the
proliferation of cyber cafes. The results indicate that the
students need formal training to use word processor,
PowerPoint and statistical analysis. Students need formal
training in accessing the medical databases like Pubmed
and Indmed. There is a need to expose the students to
online testing and training.
CONCLUSION:
By knowing the level of technological experience that
medical students have when they arrive, CMC can utilize
the most appropriate strategies, methods, and resources
to help students meet these goals. This knowledge will
allow CMC to plan educational activities that address
deficiencies in knowledge, such as students having little
experience with computer literature searching, and to
organize training in response to student needs.
The information obtained from the survey will make it
possible to respond to students’ needs and to meet the
informatics objectives. With the ultimate goal of becoming
an all PC facility, one that administers computerized
examinations, conducts Internet evaluations, and produces
its own high quality, computer-based Self-learning modules.
Table 1

ACCESS TO COMPUTERS in percentage

N (90)

Type of IBM pc or Apple Mainframe None

computer used compatible Macintosh
93.3 3.3 2.2 6.67

Access to a Owned Cyber café Institutional None

computer 48.9 48.9 12.23 6.67

Access to Laptops Palmtops None

minicomputers 13.3 5.55 85.55

Table 2

Basic skills N (90) Affirmative response in percentage

Had a computer course 30
Used word processing program 47.78
Made a power point presentation 34.45
Sent or received an email message 88.89
Explored the Internet 88.89
Used a search engine 83.33

Search engine used Google 70

Yahoo 65.55
MSN 27.77
AltaVista 13.33
AskJeeves 12.22

Table 3 Advanced skills N (90) Affirmative response

in percentage
Performed a computer based
medical literature search 3.33
Used a statistical program
to analyze data 10
Written a computer program 33.33
Own a web page 4.44
Participated in any online training program 4.44
Participated in any online testing &
evaluation program 28.89

56
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Appendix 1 - Questionnaire

Name _________________. Age _____. M/F_____. Class_____.

Please take a few minutes to answer the questions below.

1. Which of the following computers have you used?

a. Personal desktop Computer (IBM etc.) b. Apple Macintosh c. Mainframe d. None

2 How do you access a computer?

a. Owned b. Cyber café c. Institutional d. None

3 Do you have access to?

a. Laptop/Notebook computer b. Palmtop/handheld c. None

4. Have you had a course in computer software hardware or programming before joining the medical college.
Yes/No

Have you personally:

5. Written a paper using word processing program (MS Word etc.) Yes/No

6. Made a power point presentation Yes/No

7. Sent or received an email message. Yes/No

8. Explored the Internet using Internet explorer, Netscape etc Yes/No

9. Used a search engine to search for information Yes/No

10. Search engines used

a. Yahoo b. google c. altavista d. msn e. askjeeves f. any other

11. Performed a computer based medical literature search Yes/No If Yes please................specify
a. Medlars databases (Pubmed etc.) b. Indian medlars (Indmed)
c. Biosis . . d. Any other please specify ________.

12. Used a statistical program to analyze data Yes/No

13. Written a computer program. Yes/No

14. Do you have your own web page? Yes/No

If yes, what is the URL? _________________.

15. Participated in any online training program (in any subject) Yes/No

16. Participated in any online testing & evaluation program (in any subject)
Yes/No

17. Would you like to participate in the development of computer based ....................Instructional material.
Yes/No

Thank you for your participation.

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