The use of ICT by South African physiotherapy students
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Transcript of The use of ICT by South African physiotherapy students
The use ofinformation and communicationtechnology bySouth Africanphysiotherapy students
Michael Rowe (Msc Physiotherapy)Department of PhysiotherapyUniversity of the Western Cape
Global shift towards the use of ICT in healthcare and education
Social media and networks
Social networking, consumer-related online forum discussion and multimedia on demand
Social networks are their frames of reference
The Net Generation
Unprecedented access to technology and are comfortable using it
Evidence suggests that they may be different in how they think, communicate and choose to learn
Question and problem
Little evidence could be found on the use of ICT by South African physiotherapy students
Massification and Internationalisation
How can ICT be used to educate and support this new generation of future healthcare professionals?
Aim and Objectives
Aim:To investigate the use of ICT by South African physiotherapy students, as a means of enhancing their education, as well as the experiences and perceptions of these students pertaining to the use of ICT as a means of seeking and receiving support.
Objectives:What ICT resources are available to students;
What ICT is being used for;
Students' experiences and perceptions of ICT;
How students are being supported;
Are they adequately prepared to access support post-graduation;
What differences exist?
Background
Definition: the use of computers and computer software to manipulate information
WHO, UNICEF have discussed the benefits of ICT in education and healthcare
Socially acceptable technology
Benefits of ICT in education
Coursework accessible anywhere, anytime
Promotes active engagement with content
Enhances problem-based learning
Improves information gathering skills
Improves communication between lecturers and students
Resources? What resources?
Some African countries have difficulty providing students with access to technology. Not all countries have this problem.
E-learning is not the (only) answer
E-learning must add value, not replace
Technology does not solve problems
ICT in healthcare
Continuing professional development is facilitated and students and professionals supported clinically through ICT
Evidence based practice difficult to implement
Geographical isolation means poor support and a lack of opportunities
An estimated 30% of a doctors time will be spent using a computer. Are healthcare students ready for this?
Challenges and gaps
Challenges facing adoption of ICTDigital divide
Poor infrastructure
High costs involved
Poor ICT literacy
Lack of technical skills
Gaps in the literatureLittle evidence was found on the use of ICT by
South African physiotherapy students
Methodology
Study design: cross-sectional, descriptive survey
Setting: physiotherapy departments of 6 universities offering the physiotherapy degree
Sample: all undergraduate physiotherapy students who responded
Instrument design: self-developed questionnaire, focus groups, pilot study
Data analysis: OpenOffice spreadsheet and SPSS
Ethical clearance obtained
Procedure
Identify universities
Send advance letters
Deliver survey
Surveys completed
Surveys returned
Results
Demographic data
Population: 1105
Sample: 529
Response rate 48%
Age: 18 - 22 (87%)
Female: 82%
White: 41%
Response rate
Results
Response rate by university
Western Cape: 12%
Stellenbosch: 9%
Other: +/- 7%
Total: 48%
Results
Frequency of use by university
Almost 40% use ICT daily, 35% use it weekly
Results
Reasons for Internet use at university
Assignments: 83%
Academic development: 43%
Personal interest: 48%
Guidance: 23%
Results
Students confidence when using ICT
Results
Use of the Internet at university
Search: 83%
Databases / journals: +/- 50%
Email: 48% (26% for support)
Departmental website: 41%
Experiences and perceptions of ICT
Students who had access to ICT at home (53%) and at high school (48%) were more likely to have used ICT at university
Most students were satisfied with current levels of support ( > 80%)
Most respondents agreed that ICT has a positive role to play in supporting students ( > 70%)
78% agree that a strong support system would positively influence their decision to work in a community post
Students more likely to seek support from those most suited to provide it
Methods: face-to-face (95%), email (25%)
What does this all mean?
Students view ICT as a means of accessing information, rather than enhancing communication
ICT consistently shown to enhance communication, yet students fail to use it for this purpose
Many physiotherapy students have had limited or no access to ICT resources prior to attending university
Reduced levels of confidence using ICT for research
What have we learnt?
ICT has been shown to be a feasible means of supporting physiotherapy students
Students have the skills to use ICT to seek support and to enhance their studies, but do not apply them
Inequality in access to technology is still present in South Africa
The use of ICT in communication, research and CPD (lifelong learning), was low
How should we proceed?
Physiotherapy departments should consider developing and implementing a comprehensive ICT strategy
Use ICT to facilitate communication between students and lecturers
Encourage the use of ICT to encourage undergraduate research and evidence based practice
What are we doing about it?
OpenPhysio - free, open content physiotherapy resource
Thank you
Contact
http://www.mrowe.co.za/blog
Thanks for listening. If you'd like to contact me, here are some details.
Are there any questions?
DailyWeeklyMonthlyRarely
Stellenbosch703000
Cape Town643310
Limpopo504063
Kwazulu-Natal204957
Western Cape21401711
Witwatersrand6224014
AssignmentPersonal interestProfessional developmentSeeking advice
Reasons for Internet use83484323
ConfidentUncertainNot confident
Online search8342
Email8231
Printing7852
Word processing7265
Presentations72113
Research43279
Games4383
Forums34147
Exercise prescription23286
Percentage
Search83
Libraries63
Websites61
Databases53
Journals48
Email48
Departments41
Cape TownKwazulu-NatalLimpopoStellenboschWestern CapeWitwatersrand
Respondants73756810313278
Respondents
Yes529
No576
Gender
Female82
Male18
Column 1
Black22
Coloured24
Indian12
White42