. Asefeh Badiey Houshyari; . Mahnaz Bahadorani; . Mina Tootoonch; . John Jacob Zucker Gardiner; . Roberto A. Peña; . Peyman Adibi
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
Background: Information and communication technology (ICT) has brought many changes inmedical education and practice in the last couple of decades. Teaching and learning medicineparticularly ...
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Background: Information and communication technology (ICT) has brought many changes inmedical education and practice in the last couple of decades. Teaching and learning medicineparticularly has gone under profound changes due to computer technologies, and medicalschools around the world have invested heavily either in new computer technologies or inthe process of adapting to this technological revolution. In order to catch up with the rest ofthe world, developing countries need to research their options in adapting to new computertechnologies. Materials and Methods: This descriptive survey study was designed to assessmedical students’ computer and Internet skills and their attitude toward ICT. Results: Researchfindings showed that the mean score of self-perceived computer knowledge for male students ingeneral was greater than for female students. Also, students who had participated in various priorcomputer workshops, had access to computer, Internet, and e-mail, and frequently checkedtheir e-mail had higher mean of self-perceived knowledge and skill score. Finally, students withpositive attitude toward ICT scored their computer knowledge higher than those who had noopinion. Conclusions: The results have confirmed that the medical schools, particularly indeveloping countries, need to bring fundamental changes such as curriculum modificationin order to integrate ICT into medical education, creating essential infrastructure for ICT usein medical education and practice, and structured computer training for faculty and students.
