The use of ICT by South African physiotherapy students

The use of information and communication technology by South African physiotherapy students Michael Rowe (Msc Physiotherapy) Department of Physiotherapy University 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 ICT Digital divide Poor infrastructure High costs involved Poor ICT literacy Lack of technical skills Gaps in the literature Little 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 18% 48% 52% Female Male Yes No 82% Population: 1105 Sample: 529 22% Response rate 48% 42% Black Coloured Age: 18 - 22 (87%) Indian White Female: 82% 24% White: 41% 12%

Results Response rate by university 140 25% Western Cape: 12% 120 Stellenbosch: 9% 19% Other: +/- 7% 100 15% 80 14% 14% 13% Total: 48% 60 40 20 0 Respondants Cape Town Kwazulu-Natal Limpopo Stellenbosch Western Cape Witwatersrand

Results Frequency of use by university 80 70% 70 65% 60 51% 60% 50 40% 45% 49% Daily 40 Weekly 34% Monthly 30% 30 Rarely 24% 27% 25% 20 19% 17% 12% 10 6% 9% 7% 6% 3% 1% 0 Stellenbosch Cape Town Limpopo Kwazulu-Natal Western Cape Witwatersrand Almost 40% use ICT daily, 35% use it weekly

Results Reasons for Internet use at university Assignments: 83% 90 42% Academic development: 43% 80 70 Personal interest: 48% 60 50 24% Assignment Personal in- Guidance: 23% 22% terest 40 Professional development 30 Seeking 12% advice 20 10 0 Reasons for Internet use

Results Students confidence when using ICT Online search Email Printing Word processing Presentations Not confident Uncertain Confident Research Games Forums Exercise prescription 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Results Use of the Internet at university Search: 83% Search 83 Databases / journals: +/- 50% Libraries 63 Email: 48% (26% for support) Websites 61 Departmental website: 41% Databases 53 Journals 48 Email 48 Departments 41 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

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 mrowe@uwc.ac.za http://www.mrowe.co.za/blog

The use of ICT by South African physiotherapy students

by Michael Rowe on Jul 04, 2009

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