Digital Literacy among Medical Sciences Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Systematic review/Meta analysis

Authors

1 Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Student Research Committee, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Student of Nutrition Sciences, Department of Nutrition Sciences, Varastegan lnstitute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background: The rapid advancement of digital technology and information has revolutionized teaching approaches, research practices, and evidence retrieval in medical academic settings, highlighting the necessity for adequate digital literacy (DL) among students. This research delved into examining digital literacy and its various components within the medical sciences student population.
Method: Surveys about medical sciences students’ DL and related topics were identified by searching of the Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases. Meta-analysis was done using CMA V.3.3.
Results: Out of the 6773 initially identified articles, 54 studies were selected for the final synthesis. The studies showed that the DL of medical science students has improved over the past two decades. However, there were differences in the components of DL, with computer literacy ranking the highest and search literacy ranking the lowest. Result of meta-analysis of 28 studies for estimation of the rate of skilled students in performing tasks using digital devices showed that most students were skilled in using Word Processing (78%) and Presentation (68%) software, while fewer were skilled in using Spreadsheets (49%) and Email (34%).
Conclusion: While in recent years, medical science students have made significant progress in DL, a gap remains between their expected competency and the current situation. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies for online learning, positively impacting students’ DL. This valuable experience should guide future educational practices, emphasizing continued online and blended learning, and focusing on integrating ICT courses into the medical science curriculum.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Nash C. Report on digital literacy in academic meetings during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. Challenges. 2020;11(2):20.
  2. Mesko B, Győrffy Z, Kollár J. Digital literacy in the medical curriculum: a course with social media tools and gamification. JMIR Medical Education. 2015;1(2):e4411.
  3. Spante M, Hashemi SS, Lundin M, Algers A. Digital competence and digital literacy in higher education research: Systematic review of concept use. Cogent Education. 2018;5(1):1519143.
  4. Nelson K, Courier M, Joseph GW. An investigation of digital literacy needs of students. Journal of Information Systems Education. 2011;22(2):95-110.
  5. Nisa A, Setiyawati D, editors. A Systematic Review of Digital Literacy Training for High School Students. Third International Conference on Sustainable Innovation 2019–Humanity, Education and Social Sciences (IcoSIHESS 2019); 2019: Atlantis Press.
  6. Covello S, Lei J. A review of digital literacy assessment instruments. Syracuse University. 2010:1-31.
  7. Ng W. Can we teach digital natives digital literacy? Computers & education. 2012;59(3):1065-78.
  8. Kingsley K, Galbraith GM, Herring M, Stowers E, Stewart T, Kingsley KV. Why not just Google it? An assessment of information literacy skills in a biomedical science curriculum. BMC medical education. 2011;11(1):1-8.
  9. Kingsley KV, Kingsley K. A case study for teaching information literacy skills. BMC Medical Education. 2009;9(1):1-6.
  10. Samuel M, Coombes JC, Miranda JJ, Melvin R, Young EJ, Azarmina P. Assessing computer skills in Tanzanian medical students: an elective experience. BMC public health. 2004;4:37.
  11. Jones R, Navin L, Barrie J, Hillan E, Kinane D. Computer literacy among medical, nursing, dental and veterinary undergraduates. Medical education. 1991;25(3):191-5.
  12. Grigg P, Macfarlane T, Shearer A, Jepson N, Stephens C. Computing facilities available to final‐year students at 3 UK dental schools in 1997/8: their use, and students’ attitudes to information technology. European journal of dental education. 2001;5(3):101-8.
  13. Rajab LD, Baqain ZH. Use of information and communication technology among dental students at the University of Jordan. Journal of dental education. 2005;69(3):387-98.
  14. Woreta SA, Kebede Y, Zegeye DT. Knowledge and utilization of information communication technology (ICT) among health science students at the University of Gondar, North Western Ethiopia. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. 2013;13(1):1-7.
  15. Wong LP, Mohamad Shakir SM, Tong WT, Alias H, Aghamohammadi N, Arumugam K. Awareness, perception and barriers to seeking information from online academic databases and medical journals as sources of information. Informatics for health & social care. 2018;43(4):335-47.
  16. Cox S, Pollock D, Rountree J, Murray CM. Use of information and communication technology amongst New Zealand dental students. European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe. 2016;20(3):135-41.
  17. Masic I, Begic E, Begic N. Use and knowledge on the information technologies in medical education-Bosnian and Herzegovinian experience. Materia socio-medica. 2016;28(2):84.
  18. Butali A, Adeyemo W, Akinshipo A, Fashina A, Savage K. Use of information and communication technology among dental students and registrars at the faculty of dental sciences, University of Lagos. Nigerian journal of clinical practice. 2011;14(4):467-72.
  19. Achampong EK, Pereko KK. Computer skills and the training of medical students in a Ghanaian Medical School. Electronic Journal of Health Informatics. 2010;5(2):12.
  20. Dery S, Vroom Fd-C, Godi A, Afagbedzi S, Dwomoh D. Knowledge and use of information and communication technology by health sciences students of the University of Ghana. Ghana medical journal. 2016;50(3):180-8.
  21. Zarei J, Rokhafruz D, Dianat M. The study of computer literacy in students of general medicine at Ahvaz University of medical sciences (academic year 2009-2010). Journal of Health Administration. 2012;15(47).
  22. Brown J, Morgan A, Mason J, Pope N, Bosco AM. Student nurses' digital literacy levels: lessons for curricula. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. 2020 Sep 1;38(9):451-8.
  23. Houshyari AB, Bahadorani M, Tootoonchi M, Gardiner JJZ, Peña RA, Adibi P. Medical education and information and communication technology. Journal of education and health promotion. 2012;1:3.
  24. Jali PK, Singh S, Babaji P, Chaurasia VR, Somasundaram P, Lau H. Knowledge and attitude about computer and internet usage among dental students in Western Rajasthan, India. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. 2014;4(1):29.
  25. Višnjić A, Višnjić J, Milosavljević N, Marković R, Jovanović T. Informatics literacy among first-year students of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy at the University of Niš in compliance with European Computer Driving Licence. Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo. 2019(00) ;147(11-12):736-45
  26. Warshawski S. Israeli nursing students' acceptance of information and communication technologies in clinical placements. Journal of Professional Nursing. 2020;36(6):543-50.
  27. Zayim N, Ozel D. Factors affecting nursing students’ readiness and perceptions toward the use of mobile technologies for learning. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. 2015;33(10):456-64.
  28. Akhu-Zaheya LM, Khater W, Nasar M, Khraisat O. Baccalaureate nursing students’ anxiety related computer literacy: a sample from Jordan. Journal of Research in Nursing. 2013;18(1):36-48.
  29. Ameh N, Kene T, Ameh E. Computer knowledge amongst clinical year medical students in a resource poor setting. African health sciences. 2008;8(1):40-3.
  1. Bello IS, Arogundade FA, Sanusi AA, Ezeoma IT, Abioye-Kuteyi EA, Akinsola A. Knowledge and utilization of Information Technology among health care professionals and students in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: a case study of a university teaching hospital. Journal of medical Internet research. 2004;6(4):e45.
  2. Lim T, Wong W, Lim K. Perceived skill and utilisation of information technology in medical education among final year medical students, Universiti Putra Malaysia. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF MALAYSIA. 2005;60(4):432.
  3. Ranasinghe P, Wickramasinghe SA, Pieris WR, Karunathilake I, Constantine GR. Computer literacy among first year medical students in a developing country: A cross sectional study. BMC research notes. 2012;5(1):1-8.
  4. Ray NJ, Hannigan A. A survey of the computer literacy of undergraduate dental students at a University Dental School in Ireland during the academic year 1997–98. European journal of dental education. 1999;3(2):56-63.
  5. Smith W, Bedayse S, Lalwah S, Paryag A. Computer literacy and attitudes of dental students and staff at the University of the West Indies Dental School. European Journal of Dental Education. 2009;13(3):179-83.
  6. Tse MM, Lo LW, Chan M. The use of health technology and information: e-learning technological approach. CyberPsychology & Behavior. 2007;10(6):821-6.
  7. Virtanen JI, Nieminen P. Information and communication technology among undergraduate dental students in Finland. European journal of dental education. 2002;6(4):147-52.
  8. Baro EE, Benake‐ebide CE, Ubogu JO. Awareness and use of online information resources by medical students at Delta State University in Nigeria. Library Hi Tech News. 2011.
  9. Coronel IB, Viveros MV, Cuevas JE, Pérez JG, Benítez JT. The use of information and communication technologies in research by Paraguayan medical students. Revista Cubana de Educación Médica Superior. 2017;31(4):1-9.
  10. Hollander S. Assessing and enhancing medical students' computer skills: a two-year experience. Bulletin of the Medical Library Association. 1999;87(1):67-73.
  11. Miller LG, Jungnickel PW, Scott DM. Pharmaceutical care in rural community pharmacy clerkships: Emphasis on developing computer skills to enhance patient education. Am J Pharm Educ. 1996;60:240-56.
  12. Mohebbi SZ, Yazdani R, Mofatteh M, Bonabi M. Senior dental student’s utilization and self-reported skills of information technology (IT). Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2018;4(2):82-7.
  13. Seago BL, Schlesinger JB, Hampton CL. Using a decade of data on medical student computer literacy for strategic planning. Journal of the Medical library Association. 2002;90(2):202.
  14. Uribe S, Mariño R. Internet and information technology use by dental students in Chile. European Journal of Dental Education. 2006;10(3):162-8.
  15. Nurjahan M, Lim T, Yeong S, Foong A, Ware J. Utilization of information technology in medical education: a questionnaire survey of students in a Malaysian institution. The Medical Journal of Malaysia. 2002;57:58-66.
  16. Sakhaei S, Motaarefi H, Zinalpoor S, Sadagheyani HE. Utilizing the information and communication technology as a learning tool for students. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 2017;10(5):1189.
  17. AWOTONA Mr SO. Use of Information and Communication Technology by Post Basic Midwifery Students: A Case Study of Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan. 2019. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 2297.
  18. Bayomy H, El Awadi M, El Araby E, Abed HA. Computer-based medical education in Benha University, Egypt: knowledge, attitude, limitations, and suggestions. Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association. 2016;91(4):179-84.
  19. Deltsidou A, Gesouli-Voltyraki E, Mastrogiannis D, Noula M. Undergraduate nursing students' computer skills assessment: a study in Greece. Health Science Journal. 2010;4(3):182-188.
  20. Fadeyi A, Desalu O, Ameen A, Adeboye AM. The reported preparedness and disposition by students in a Nigerian university towards the use of information technology for medical education. Annals of African Medicine. 2010;9(3) : 129-134.
  21. Gonen A, Sharon D, Lev-Ari L. Integrating Information Technology’s competencies into academic nursing education–An action study. Cogent Education. 2016;3(1):1193109.
  22. Maharana B, Biswal S, Sahu N. Use of information and communication technology by medical students: A survey of VSS Medical College, Burla, India. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 2009;281.
  23. Prabhavathi K, Ramraj B. Knowledge and perspective on the application of computer and Internet in medical curriculum among first-year medical students. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2020;10(8):609-13.
  24. Robabi H, Arbabisarjou A. Computer literacy among students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Global journal of health science. 2015;7(4):136.
  25. Akman A, Erdemir F, Tekindal MA. Psychometric properties and reliability of the Turkish version of the technology attitudes survey and nursing students’ attitudes toward technology. International Journal of Caring Sciences. 2014;7(2):415.
  26. Chipps J, Pimmer C, Brysiewicz P, Walters F, Linxen S, Ndebele T, et al. Using mobile phones and social media to facilitate education and support for rural-based midwives in South Africa. curationis. 2015;38(2):1-8.
  27. Honey M. Undergraduate Student Nurses' Use of Information and Communication Technology in Their Education. Nursing Informatics 2018: IOS Press; 2018. p. 37-40.
  28. Link TM, Marz R. Computer literacy and attitudes towards e-learning among first year medical students. BMC medical education. 2006;6(1):1-8.
  29. Rodríguez-Ríos A, Espinoza-Téllez G, Martínez-Ezquerro JD, Rendón-Macías ME. Information and communication technology, mobile devices, and medical education. Journal of medical systems. 2020;44(4):1-6.
  30. Saxena P, Gupta SK, Mehrotra D, Kamthan S, Sabir H, Katiyar P, et al. Assessment of digital literacy and use of smart phones among Central Indian dental students. Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research. 2018;8(1):40-3.
  31. Singh F, Masango T. Information technology in nursing education: perspectives of student nurses. The Open Nursing Journal. 2020;14(1).
  32. Khamis N, Aljumaiah R, Alhumaid A, Alraheem H, Alkadi D, Koppel C, et al. Undergraduate medical students’ perspectives of skills, uses and preferences of information technology in medical education: A cross-sectional study in a Saudi Medical College. Medical teacher. 2018;40(sup1):S68-S76.
  33. Loda T, Erschens R, Junne F, Stengel A, Zipfel S, Herrmann-Werner A. Undergraduate medical students’ search for health information online: explanatory cross-sectional study. JMIR medical informatics. 2020;8(3):e16279.
  34. Gonen A, Lev-Ari L, Sharon D, Amzalag M. Situated learning: The feasibility of experimental learning of information technology for academic nursing students. Cogent Education. 2016;3(1):1154260.
  35. Yu Z. Sustaining student roles, digital literacy, learning achievements, and motivation in online learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability. 2022 Apr 7;14(8):4388.
  36. Rajab MH, Gazal AM, Alkattan K. Challenges to online medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cureus. 2020 Jul 2;12(7).
  37. Muflih, S.; Abuhammad, S.; Al-Azzam, S.; Alzoubi, K.H.; Muflih, M.; Karasneh, R. Online learning for undergraduate health professional education during COVID-19: Jordanian medical students0 attitudes and perceptions. Heliyon 2021, 7, e08031
  38. Shawaqfeh MS, Al Bekairy AM, Al-Azayzih A, Alkatheri AA, Qandil AM, Obaidat AA, Al Harbi S, Muflih SM. Pharmacy students perceptions of their distance online learning experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Journal of medical education and curricular development. 2020 Oct;7:2382120520963039
Future of Medical Education Journal
Volume 14, Issue 3
September 2024
Pages 29-38

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics