Knowledge and perceptions of e-health: Results of a survey of medical students in Sri Lanka

Edirippulige, Sisira, Marasinghe, Rohana B., Smith, Anthony C., Fujisawa, Yoshikazu, Herath, Walisundara B., Jiffry, Mohamed T. M. and Wootton, Richard (2007). Knowledge and perceptions of e-health: Results of a survey of medical students in Sri Lanka. In: , 2006 International Conference On Information and Automation. 2nd International Conference on Information and Automation (ICIA 2006), Colombo, Sri Lanka, (437-439). 15-17 December 2006.


Author Edirippulige, Sisira
Marasinghe, Rohana B.
Smith, Anthony C.
Fujisawa, Yoshikazu
Herath, Walisundara B.
Jiffry, Mohamed T. M.
Wootton, Richard
Title of paper Knowledge and perceptions of e-health: Results of a survey of medical students in Sri Lanka
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name 2nd International Conference on Information and Automation (ICIA 2006)
DOI 10.1109/ICINFA.2006.374093
Conference location Colombo, Sri Lanka
Conference dates 15-17 December 2006
Proceedings title 2006 International Conference On Information and Automation
Journal name 2006 International Conference On Information and Automation
Place published Piscataway, NJ, United States
Publisher IEEE
Publication date 2007
ISBN 9781424405558
1424405556
Start page 437
End page 439
Total pages 2
Language eng
Abstract/Summary The present study investigates the perceptions and attitudes of medical students in Sri Lanka in regard to e-health, level of their knowledge in e-health and their expectations. We also examined the barriers which impede them to develop knowledge and skills in e-health within their medical curriculum. A questionnaire focusing on the knowledge, attitudes and expectations of medical students towards e-health was distributed to all final year students (n=136) at the Faculty of Medicine, Sri Jayewardenepura University, Sri Lanka. The survey was conducted during their regular lectures and completed questionnaires were collected after their classes. 100 surveys (74%) were completed and returned. 43% of respondents stated that they were familiar with the term e-health. 51% rated their knowledge of e-health applications as minimal. 88% admitted that they had no e-health education or training of any kind. Over 80% of all respondents thought that e-health had an important role to play in the current and future health sector, particularly in developing countries. Our survey revealed that respondents had very poor access to computers and Internet use was rare. 77% of respondents admitted that they were not provided with systematic knowledge and skills in e-health through their medical curriculum and identified the absence of formal education in e-health as a serious shortcoming. Despite the fact that the majority of respondents believe that e-health can be a useful tool, particularly for medical practitioners in developing countries, a lack of systematic courses to provide knowledge and hands-on skills prevent them benefiting from this modality.
Keyword e-Health
Medical education
Curriculum development
Developing countries
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Article # 4250183

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collection: Centre for Online Health Publications
 
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