Learning priorities and attitudes towards computer-assisted learning of general medical practitioners, general dental practitioners and dental hygienists.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this survey were to assess the attitudes and learning priorities of general medical practitioners (GMPs), general dental practitioners (GDPs), and dental hygienists (DHs) working at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan in relation to post-graduate education, to gather information on their attitudes and skills in using computers and computer-assisted learning (CAL) and to see whether the material in this form is acceptable to participate as a means of teaching.

METHODS

Data for this study was gathered via a questionnaire distributed to 63 health professionals including GMPs, general dental practitioners and DHs (mean age 24.79 +/- 2.69 years) working at JUST.

RESULTS

Of the 63 participants, 80% of the participants have home computers, 38% have office computers at work and only 25% have both home and office computers. Approximately 53% of the participants had their first CAL experience at home. Seventy-three of the participants indicated that connection to Internet is necessary for their work. Seventy-one of the participants were interested in the possibility of using CAL to further improve and increase their medical knowledge. The most important topic for doctors was 'learning about new techniques which may supersede those in current use', for DHs it was 'improve knowledge or skill in radiology', and for dentists it was 'reinforcement of well established techniques commonly used in dental practice'.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary for practicing health care professionals to update themselves by taking continuous education courses after graduation more conveniently via CAL methods.