ORIGINAL RESEARCH * NOUVEAUTES EN RECHERCHE
Rapid evolution of microcomputer use in a faculty of health sciences R. Brian Haynes,*t1 MD, PhD; K. Ann McKibbon,*t MLS; Cynthia J. Walker,*t MLS; Michael F. Ramsden,*tt MD, FRCPC Objective: To assist with educational planning we surveyed health sciences faculty members in 1989 to determine their use of microcomputers, desire for further instruction and perceptions on what microcomputer services should be provided for students. The 1989 results were compared with those of a similar survey performed in 1986. Design: A self-completed, mailed questionnaire, with up to three reminders. Setting: Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. Participants: All full-time (FT) and part-time (PT) faculty members were sent the questionnaire; over 80% of the FT and 65% of the PT faculty members responded in 1986 and in 1989. Results: The proportions of faculty members who used microcomputers increased significantly over the 3 years, from 71% to 87% among FT members (p = 2.2 x 10-8) and from 48% to 69% among PT members (p = 4.9 x 10-8). There were significant increases in the use of many of the applications, especially database and filing uses (from 10% to 41% among FT members [p < 1 x 10-9] and from 6% to 34% among PT members [p < 1 x 10-9]) and on-line access to bibliographic databases (from 7% to 37% among FT members [p < 1 x 10-9] and from 3% to 18% among PT members [p < 1 x 10-9]). These changes occurred mainly through individual initiative and voluntary continuing education. Conclusions: The extraordinary rate of adoption of microcomputers attests to their perceived usefulness. Curriculum planners need to consider how the success of microcomputer applications can be evaluated objectively and how successful applications can be integrated into educational programs.
Objectif: Pour aider a planifier les activites d'education, nous avons effectue, en 1989, un sondage aupres des enseignants des facultes des sciences de la sante afin d'etablir dans quelle mesure ils utilisaient les micro-ordinateurs et souhaitaient pousser leur education, et de determiner quels services de micro-informatique il faudrait selon eux assurer aux etudiants. On a compare les resultats de 1989 a ceux d'un sondage semblable effectue en 1986. Conception: Questionnaire postal rempli par le destinataire et comportant jusqu'a trois rappels. Contexte: Faculte des sciences de la sante, Universite McMaster, Hamilton (Ont.). Participants: Tous les enseignants A plein temps (PT) et a temps partiel (TP) ont recu le From *the Health Information Research Unit, tthe Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and *the Department of Medicine, Faculty ofHealth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. Dr. Ramsden is now in private practice in Vancouver, BC.
Reprint requests to: Dr. R. Brian Haynes, Health Information Research Unit, Rm. 3H7, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5 24
CAN MEDASSOCJ 1991; 144(1)
questionnaire. Plus de 80 % des enseignants PT et 65 % des enseignants TP ont repondu en 1986 et en 1989. Resultats: Les pourcentages des enseignants qui ont utilise des micro-ordinateurs ont augmente considerablement en les 3 ans, pour passer de 71 % a 87 % chez les enseignants PT (p = 2,2 x 10-8) et de 48 % a 69 % chez les enseignants TP (p = 4,9 x 10-8). L'utilisation d'un grand nombre d'applications a augmente significativement, et particulibrement celle des bases de donnees et des logiciels de classement (de 10 % a 41 % chez les enseignants PT [p < 1 x 10-9] et de 6 % a 34 % chez les enseignants TP [p < 1 x 10-9]), de meme que l'acces en direct a des bases de donnees bibliographiques (de 7 % a 37 % chez les enseignants PT [p < 1 x 10-9] et de 3 % a 18 % chez les membres TP [p < 1 x 10-9]). Ces changements decoulent principalement d'initiatives individuelles et de mesures de formation continue volontaires. Conclusions: Le taux extraordinaire d'adoption des micro-ordinateurs temoigne de l'utilite qu'on leur attribue. Les planificateurs de programmes d'etudes doivent se demander dans quelle mesure il est possible d'evaluer objectivement le succes des applications de la micro-informatique et d'integrer les applications populaires dans les programmes d'enseignement.
umerous problems arise in handling information in clinical practice and academic health care settings.'2 Exciting advances in information technology, particularly in personal computing, have been developed that may help overcome these problems.34 We previously reported the results of a 1986 survey of microcomputer use in our Faculty of Health Sciences.5 The survey indicated that 71% of the full-time (FT) and 48% of the part-time (PT) faculty members had access to microcomputers. However, the range and frequency of use were quite limited, and the demand for courses on specific applications was high. We questioned whether this demand would be translated into action, given the limited resources of the faculty and the usual differences between intent and action. The survey was repeated in 1989 to assess the progress of our faculty and to provide additional information for educational planning. We considered that educational courses on microcomputers should be guided by the perceived personal computing needs of faculty members in their roles as clinicians, researchers and educators and by the uses that at least some faculty members were already making of microcomputers. We know of no other study that has attempted to plot the course of implementation of microcomputers in a faculty of health sciences, and we believe this information will be useful for planning in other institutions as well. N
Methods We surveyed members of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., in March 1989 and compared the results with those of a similar survey conducted in February 1986. The 10-page questionnaire had been prepared for use in 1986, the face and content validity having been achieved through reviews by members of the Program for Educational Development, the Learning
Resources Committee, the Health Sciences Library, the Computer Services Unit and the Committee for Scientific Development. Questions were included on the current access to microcomputers, the specific applications being used, courses that the respondents would take if available and what microcomputer resources and applications should be provided by the faculty for its students. The questions in the second survey were identical to those in the first except for the addition of questions concerning primarily innovations that were not available or applicable in 1986, such as the Ethernet link (first offered in 1984), compact discs and advanced training in online searches of MEDLINE. (Copies of the questionnaire are available from the authors.) The questionnaire was mailed to all faculty members regardless of whether they were based in one of the four teaching hospitals in Hamilton or in the community. A covering letter indicated that the information would be used for planning computer development and training in the faculty. Up to two mailings were used to encourage a response, successive mailings being 7 to 10 days apart. After the first mailing nonrespondents were sent a personalized letter, and after the second mailing they were telephoned in an attempt to persuade them to respond. Since demographic information other than departmental appointment was not collected in the first survey it was also excluded from the second one. Given our a priori hypothesis that FT faculty members would have a greater need for computers and familiarity with them than PT. members, responses were analysed separately according to FT or PT status. Data were tabulated on a microcomputer with the use of dBase III Plus (Ashton-Tate, Torrance, Calif.). Statistical analysis was done by the x2 test with continuity correction6 on a Hewlett-Packard 41 C programmable calculator (Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, Ore.). A Bonferroni adjustment was made for multiple comparisons.7 CAN MED ASSOC J 1991; 144 (1)
25
The critical level for statistical significance was set at p < 0.004 to accommodate 12 statistical compari-
a fivefold increase among the PT members. The proportions of faculty members who used microcom-
sons.
puters for statistical analysis and data collection remained constant, although the proportions of members who used them for spreadsheet analysis and database and filing programs grew. In relative terms the most substantial increase was in electronic searching of the medical literature, by modem or compact disc; it was fivefold among the FT members and sixfold among the PT members. PT members were ahead of FT members for only two applications: appointment scheduling and financial uses (e.g., billing). The use of software for direct clinical applications (e.g., blood gas analysis and drug dose calculations) was not assessed in 1986 and was reported by only 9% of the FT and PT faculty members in 1989. The use of clinical applications did not differ significantly between the various departments. Interest in courses on general orientation to
Results The 1989 response rate was similar to that in 1986: 84% and 81% respectively for the FT faculty members, and 65% and 68% respectively for the PT members. The use of microcomputers increased significantly during the 3 years: from 71% to 87% among the FT members and from 48% to 69% among the PT members (Table 1). In addition, there was increased use of equipment to link stand-alone microcomputers to computer networks, as demonstrated by a threefold increase in modem access. The use of local area networking remained at a standstill. The applications are shown in Table 2. There was a twofold increase in the use of computers for word processing among the FT faculty members and .1
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Rapid evolution of microcomputer use in a faculty of health sciences R. Brian Haynes,*t1 MD, PhD; K. Ann McKibbon,*t MLS; Cynthia J. Walker,*t MLS; Michael F. Ramsden,*tt MD, FRCPC Objective: To assist with educational planning we surveyed health sciences faculty members in 1989 to determine their use of microcomputers, desire for further instruction and perceptions on what microcomputer services should be provided for students. The 1989 results were compared with those of a similar survey performed in 1986. Design: A self-completed, mailed questionnaire, with up to three reminders. Setting: Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. Participants: All full-time (FT) and part-time (PT) faculty members were sent the questionnaire; over 80% of the FT and 65% of the PT faculty members responded in 1986 and in 1989. Results: The proportions of faculty members who used microcomputers increased significantly over the 3 years, from 71% to 87% among FT members (p = 2.2 x 10-8) and from 48% to 69% among PT members (p = 4.9 x 10-8). There were significant increases in the use of many of the applications, especially database and filing uses (from 10% to 41% among FT members [p < 1 x 10-9] and from 6% to 34% among PT members [p < 1 x 10-9]) and on-line access to bibliographic databases (from 7% to 37% among FT members [p < 1 x 10-9] and from 3% to 18% among PT members [p < 1 x 10-9]). These changes occurred mainly through individual initiative and voluntary continuing education. Conclusions: The extraordinary rate of adoption of microcomputers attests to their perceived usefulness. Curriculum planners need to consider how the success of microcomputer applications can be evaluated objectively and how successful applications can be integrated into educational programs.
Objectif: Pour aider a planifier les activites d'education, nous avons effectue, en 1989, un sondage aupres des enseignants des facultes des sciences de la sante afin d'etablir dans quelle mesure ils utilisaient les micro-ordinateurs et souhaitaient pousser leur education, et de determiner quels services de micro-informatique il faudrait selon eux assurer aux etudiants. On a compare les resultats de 1989 a ceux d'un sondage semblable effectue en 1986. Conception: Questionnaire postal rempli par le destinataire et comportant jusqu'a trois rappels. Contexte: Faculte des sciences de la sante, Universite McMaster, Hamilton (Ont.). Participants: Tous les enseignants A plein temps (PT) et a temps partiel (TP) ont recu le From *the Health Information Research Unit, tthe Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and *the Department of Medicine, Faculty ofHealth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. Dr. Ramsden is now in private practice in Vancouver, BC.
Reprint requests to: Dr. R. Brian Haynes, Health Information Research Unit, Rm. 3H7, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5 24
CAN MEDASSOCJ 1991; 144(1)
questionnaire. Plus de 80 % des enseignants PT et 65 % des enseignants TP ont repondu en 1986 et en 1989. Resultats: Les pourcentages des enseignants qui ont utilise des micro-ordinateurs ont augmente considerablement en les 3 ans, pour passer de 71 % a 87 % chez les enseignants PT (p = 2,2 x 10-8) et de 48 % a 69 % chez les enseignants TP (p = 4,9 x 10-8). L'utilisation d'un grand nombre d'applications a augmente significativement, et particulibrement celle des bases de donnees et des logiciels de classement (de 10 % a 41 % chez les enseignants PT [p < 1 x 10-9] et de 6 % a 34 % chez les enseignants TP [p < 1 x 10-9]), de meme que l'acces en direct a des bases de donnees bibliographiques (de 7 % a 37 % chez les enseignants PT [p < 1 x 10-9] et de 3 % a 18 % chez les membres TP [p < 1 x 10-9]). Ces changements decoulent principalement d'initiatives individuelles et de mesures de formation continue volontaires. Conclusions: Le taux extraordinaire d'adoption des micro-ordinateurs temoigne de l'utilite qu'on leur attribue. Les planificateurs de programmes d'etudes doivent se demander dans quelle mesure il est possible d'evaluer objectivement le succes des applications de la micro-informatique et d'integrer les applications populaires dans les programmes d'enseignement.
umerous problems arise in handling information in clinical practice and academic health care settings.'2 Exciting advances in information technology, particularly in personal computing, have been developed that may help overcome these problems.34 We previously reported the results of a 1986 survey of microcomputer use in our Faculty of Health Sciences.5 The survey indicated that 71% of the full-time (FT) and 48% of the part-time (PT) faculty members had access to microcomputers. However, the range and frequency of use were quite limited, and the demand for courses on specific applications was high. We questioned whether this demand would be translated into action, given the limited resources of the faculty and the usual differences between intent and action. The survey was repeated in 1989 to assess the progress of our faculty and to provide additional information for educational planning. We considered that educational courses on microcomputers should be guided by the perceived personal computing needs of faculty members in their roles as clinicians, researchers and educators and by the uses that at least some faculty members were already making of microcomputers. We know of no other study that has attempted to plot the course of implementation of microcomputers in a faculty of health sciences, and we believe this information will be useful for planning in other institutions as well. N
Methods We surveyed members of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., in March 1989 and compared the results with those of a similar survey conducted in February 1986. The 10-page questionnaire had been prepared for use in 1986, the face and content validity having been achieved through reviews by members of the Program for Educational Development, the Learning
Resources Committee, the Health Sciences Library, the Computer Services Unit and the Committee for Scientific Development. Questions were included on the current access to microcomputers, the specific applications being used, courses that the respondents would take if available and what microcomputer resources and applications should be provided by the faculty for its students. The questions in the second survey were identical to those in the first except for the addition of questions concerning primarily innovations that were not available or applicable in 1986, such as the Ethernet link (first offered in 1984), compact discs and advanced training in online searches of MEDLINE. (Copies of the questionnaire are available from the authors.) The questionnaire was mailed to all faculty members regardless of whether they were based in one of the four teaching hospitals in Hamilton or in the community. A covering letter indicated that the information would be used for planning computer development and training in the faculty. Up to two mailings were used to encourage a response, successive mailings being 7 to 10 days apart. After the first mailing nonrespondents were sent a personalized letter, and after the second mailing they were telephoned in an attempt to persuade them to respond. Since demographic information other than departmental appointment was not collected in the first survey it was also excluded from the second one. Given our a priori hypothesis that FT faculty members would have a greater need for computers and familiarity with them than PT. members, responses were analysed separately according to FT or PT status. Data were tabulated on a microcomputer with the use of dBase III Plus (Ashton-Tate, Torrance, Calif.). Statistical analysis was done by the x2 test with continuity correction6 on a Hewlett-Packard 41 C programmable calculator (Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, Ore.). A Bonferroni adjustment was made for multiple comparisons.7 CAN MED ASSOC J 1991; 144 (1)
25
The critical level for statistical significance was set at p < 0.004 to accommodate 12 statistical compari-
a fivefold increase among the PT members. The proportions of faculty members who used microcom-
sons.
puters for statistical analysis and data collection remained constant, although the proportions of members who used them for spreadsheet analysis and database and filing programs grew. In relative terms the most substantial increase was in electronic searching of the medical literature, by modem or compact disc; it was fivefold among the FT members and sixfold among the PT members. PT members were ahead of FT members for only two applications: appointment scheduling and financial uses (e.g., billing). The use of software for direct clinical applications (e.g., blood gas analysis and drug dose calculations) was not assessed in 1986 and was reported by only 9% of the FT and PT faculty members in 1989. The use of clinical applications did not differ significantly between the various departments. Interest in courses on general orientation to
Results The 1989 response rate was similar to that in 1986: 84% and 81% respectively for the FT faculty members, and 65% and 68% respectively for the PT members. The use of microcomputers increased significantly during the 3 years: from 71% to 87% among the FT members and from 48% to 69% among the PT members (Table 1). In addition, there was increased use of equipment to link stand-alone microcomputers to computer networks, as demonstrated by a threefold increase in modem access. The use of local area networking remained at a standstill. The applications are shown in Table 2. There was a twofold increase in the use of computers for word processing among the FT faculty members and .1
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