CFP last date
20 January 2025
Reseach Article

Proficiency in Information Communication Technology and its Use: A Survey among Clinical Students in a Ghanaian Medical School

by Jerome Addah
International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 45 - Number 24
Year of Publication: 2012
Authors: Jerome Addah
10.5120/7112-9805

Jerome Addah . Proficiency in Information Communication Technology and its Use: A Survey among Clinical Students in a Ghanaian Medical School. International Journal of Computer Applications. 45, 24 ( May 2012), 14-20. DOI=10.5120/7112-9805

@article{ 10.5120/7112-9805,
author = { Jerome Addah },
title = { Proficiency in Information Communication Technology and its Use: A Survey among Clinical Students in a Ghanaian Medical School },
journal = { International Journal of Computer Applications },
issue_date = { May 2012 },
volume = { 45 },
number = { 24 },
month = { May },
year = { 2012 },
issn = { 0975-8887 },
pages = { 14-20 },
numpages = {9},
url = { https://ijcaonline.org/archives/volume45/number24/7112-9805/ },
doi = { 10.5120/7112-9805 },
publisher = {Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA},
address = {New York, USA}
}
%0 Journal Article
%1 2024-02-06T20:38:29.958862+05:30
%A Jerome Addah
%T Proficiency in Information Communication Technology and its Use: A Survey among Clinical Students in a Ghanaian Medical School
%J International Journal of Computer Applications
%@ 0975-8887
%V 45
%N 24
%P 14-20
%D 2012
%I Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Abstract

Insufficient prior knowledge about the array of skills possessed by medical students in information communication technology account for failed efforts at incorporating ICT into their academic work. The aim of this study is to access information communication and technology skills and its use among clinical students undergoing medical training in northern Ghana. A longitudinal questionnaire was administered to 175 clinical year (1st, 2nd, and 3rd year) medical students aged between 22 and 29 years (mean ± standard deviation; 25. 0 ± 1. 26 years). Out of the total 175 questionnaires administered 140 (82. 0%) students returned their questionnaires. Questionnaires from 5 students were incomplete leaving 135 complete and analyzable questionnaires, resulting in a 77. 0% responses rate. Of the remaining 135 students, 55. 6% of the respondents were proficient in the use of ICT related tools, 37. 8% were using ICT resources for their academic work, and 85. 2% were using such resources for social purposes, while use of ICT for academic work by gender was: 88. 2% for males, and 11. 8% for females. By gender 49. 0% males and 52. 2% females were using ICT for social purposes. The study revealed high and low levels of proficiency in ICT depending upon the ICT task to be performed, and concluded that a good curriculum designed to encourage ICT use by students as well as develop in them a multiplicity of skills, coupled with a teaching methodology that is student centred and encourages student engagement in active cognitive activities involving the use of ICTs may help stem this skewedness in proficiency.

References
  1. Heath C, Luff P, Svensson MS. Technology and medical practice. Sociology of Health and Illness, l2003;25: 75-96.
  2. Jochen RM, Andrew G. Medical informatics and medical education in Canada in the 21st century. Clinical & InvestigativeMedicine. l2000;23: :278.
  3. Larkin M. Non-US web use rising fast. Lancet l2000: 356:14l 1
  4. Swagerty D, Jr. , Studenski S, Laird R, Rigler S. A case-oriented web-based curriculum in geriatrics for third-year medical students. J Am Geriatr Soc l2000;48: 1507-12.
  5. Valcke M, Martens R. The problem arena of researching computer supported collaborative learning. Computers & Education l2006;46: 1-5.
  6. Mayer RE, Moreno R. Animation or an aid to multimedia learning. Educational Psychology Review l2002;14: 87-99.
  7. Mayer RE, Moreno R. Nine ways to reduce cognitive loading multimedia learning. Educational Psychologist l2003;38: 43-52.
  8. Nackman GB, BERMANN, M. & HAMMOND, J. ,, p. Effective use of human simulators in surgical education. Journal of Surgical Research l2003;115: 214-218.
  9. Jenkins JM, COOK, J. , EDWARDS, J. , DRAYCOTT, T. & CAHILLA, D. J. Medical education with the Internet: A pilot training programme in reproductive medicine. British Journal of Obstetrics andGynaecology l2001;108: 114-116.
  10. Acheampong EK, Pereko KKA. Computer Skills and the Training of Medical Students in a Ghanaian Medical School. Electronic Journal of Health Informatics l2010;5.
  11. Fadeyi A, Desalu OO, Ameen A, Muhammed, , Adeboye AN. The reported preparedness and disposition by students in a Nigerian university towards the use of information technology f medical education. . Ann Afr Med l2010;9: 129-34.
  12. Ajuwon GA. Computer and internet use by first year clinical and nursing students in a Nigerian teaching hospital. . BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. l2003;3: 10.
  13. Odusanya OO, Bamgbala OA. Computing and information technology skills of final year medical and dental students at the College of Medicine University of Lagos. Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal. l2002;9: 189-93.
  14. Samuel M, Coombes J, Miranda J, Melvin R, Young E, Azamina P, . Assessing computer skills in Tanzanian medical students: an elective experience. . BMC Public Health. l2004;4: 37.
  15. Lamis D, Rajab DDS, Zaid H. Baqain BDS. Use of Information and Communication Technology Among Dental Students at the University of Jordan. Journal of Dental Education l2005;69: 387 - 398.
  16. Grigg P, Macfarlane TV, Shearer AC, Jepson NJ, Stephens CD. Computing facilities available to final-year students at 3 UK dental schools in 1997/8: their use and students' attitudes to information technology. Eur J Dent Educ l2001;5: 101-8.
  17. Brosnan M. Technophobia: the psychological impact of formation technology. London: Rootledge Press,; 1998.
  18. Nurjahan M, Lim TA, Yeong SW, Foong A, Ware J, . Utilization of information technology in medical education: a questionnaire survey of students in a Malaysian institution. Med ] Mal l2002;57 (Suppl E): 58- 66.
  19. Dorup J. Experience and attitudes towards information technology among first-year medical students in Denmark: longitudinal questionnaire survey. J Med Internet Res l2004;6: e10.
  20. Virtanen JI, Nieminen P. Information and communication technology among undergraduate dental students in Finland. . Eur J Dent Educ l2002;6: 147-52.
  21. Inamdar SC, Rotti SB, . Computer use among medical students in an institution in southern India. Natl Med J India l2004;17: 8-10.
  22. Asgari-Jirhandeh N, Haywood J. Computer awareness among medical students:a survey. Med Educ l1997;31: 225-9.
  23. Ameh N, Kene TS, Ameh E, A. . Computer knowledge amongst clinical year medical students in a resource poor setting. African Health Sciences l2008;8: 40-43.
  24. Forman LJ, Pomerantz SC. Computer-assisted instruction: a survey on the attitudes of osteopathic medical students. J Am Osteopath Assoc l2006;106: 571-8.
  25. Lim TA, Wong WH, Lim KY. Perceived Skill and Utilization of Information Technology in Medical Education Among Final Year Medical Students, University Putra Malaysia. Med J Malaysia l2006;60: 432 - 440.
  26. McGlade K, McKeveney C, Crawford VL, Brannigan P. Preparing tomorrow's doctors: the impact of a special study module in medical informatics. Med Educ l2001;35: 62-67.
  27. Addah J, Konlaan B. B, Yakubu A. ICT and Medical Training in Ghana: Shifting the Post at the University for Development Studies, Tamale. Journal of Current Engineering Research l2012;2: 77- 88.
  28. Chan M, Fox N, Clamp S, de Dombal F. An information technology course in the medical curriculum. Med Educ l1996;30: 112-20.
Index Terms

Computer Science
Information Sciences

Keywords

Information Communication Technology Proficiency Medical Students Education Northern Ghana