Computer usage by paediatricians in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction Information technology (IT) is fast becoming an essential tool in the delivery of health care1,2 . Clinicians need IT to improve medical practice, to keep up with new advances, maintain electronic medical records, in research and for communication3,4,5. “Paperless” examinations are being attempted in medical education and consultations between patients and doctors placed on opposite sides of the world are being undertaken using internet and telemedicine. “Cyberspace” hospitals and “virtual medical schools” looming on the horizon further highlight the need for computer usage by doctors. Objectives To assess among more recently qualified paediatricians

• Their access to a personal computer and internet • Their reasons for using computers • The prevalence of using electronic patient record systems • Their methods of keeping abreast of current advances in paediatrics. Method An observational descriptive study was carried out in 2004 among 69 randomly selected paediatricians of state hospitals. The study population consisted of 22 consultant paediatricians, who had been board certified within the past 15 years and were working in provincial hospitals, and 47 post graduate trainees ___________________________________________ 1Professor in Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. (Received on 26 October 2005. Accepted on 20 November 2005) who were registrars or senior registrars in teaching hospitals. Senior paediatricians and those in academic posts were excluded. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information, which included a self assessment of computer literacy. Results Overall response rate was 87% (60/69) with 95% consultants and 83% trainees responding. Access to a computer at work was available for 38% of consultants and 21% trainees and 85% of those responding in both groups had a computer at home. Seven (approximately 10%) did not have a computer at work or at home. Access to internet was available to 86% of consultants and 69% of post-graduate trainees. Computer use in relation to professional work during the past six months was to access the internet, for preparation of slide presentations and word processing (Table 1). Electronic data bases were used for maintaining patient records by 14% of consultants. Methods of keeping up-to-date with current advances in paediatrics showed that printed journals and attendance at conferences or meetings were preferred over electronic publications. Only about two thirds of paediatricians used internet for continuing medical education. Only 10% of consultants and 8% of postgraduate trainees assessed themselves as having ‘good’ computer literacy; 52% and 51% claimed ‘satisfactory’ computer literacy and 38% and 41% reported ‘poor’ computer literacy respectively. The majority (62% consultants and 82 % postgraduates) had never attended a course in IT.