Home // eTELEMED 2022, The Fourteenth International Conference on eHealth, Telemedicine, and Social Medicine // View article
Authors:
Rodrigo Mariño
Mark Merolli
Daniel Capurro
Keywords: students; use of ICT; technology proficiency
Abstract:
A telehealth course was designed to provide entry-to-practice health professions students with a set of foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a virtual health care practitioner in an age where remote care has become increasingly needed. In preparation for the large-scale testing and validation of the course, this study examined the level of technology proficiency (reported as self-assessed ‘confidence’) amongst the future healthcare workforce. This assessment was undertaken among students from four health sciences departments at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Students were invited to participate in the study by completing an online, anonymous, 68-item questionnaire. Relevant to this manuscript, the questionnaire included 22 items pertaining to Internet and Information Communication Technology (ICT) use, adapted from Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment Questionnaire for 21st Century Learning (TPSA C-21). Results indicated that access to technology and frequency of use of the Internet was high, with 57.7% of the students accessing the Internet, at least, every 30 minutes. When students were asked about their level of confidence with ICT, responses suggested that students were confident in their ability to perform all the task included in the TPSA C-21. Nonetheless, students felt less confident with the administrative aspects of mobile technology and in its use as a tool for their future role as health professionals. Findings indicate that students have adequate proficiency. The study identified some areas in which support, and further development may be required
Pages: 33 to 37
Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2022
Publication date: June 26, 2022
Published in: conference
ISSN: 2308-4359
ISBN: 978-1-61208-984-3
Location: Porto, Portugal
Dates: from June 26, 2022 to June 30, 2022