Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Towards Computer Usage Among Students In Dental College In Patna, Bihar

With the rapid developments in modern science and technology, the information network technology has blazed a trail in our learning, work and lives. Computers are the excellent means for storage of patient-related data and computer software is used for diagnosis of diseases. Computer networking enables quicker communication. The application of computers in dentistry is related to patient education, maintenance of electronic records and databases, communication, information about new products, information to recent dental literature, continuing dental education, settling insurance claims, marketing, quality assurance, digital imaging, teledentistry and many more. A large amount of medical literature and information is now available electronically and even medical teaching is becoming electronically based in some developed countries. Aim: is to assess the specific knowledge of dental students and explore the attitudes and practices of dental students towards computer usage. Materials and methods: A simple random sample of 140 students including interns and postgraduates in the age group of 19-45 years of Buddha Institute Of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patna constituted the study population. The data was collected using a close ended questionnaire which consisted of 3 major groups:- sociodemographic details, knowledge about the computer usage, software skills, software handling, basic operations, attitude and practices towards computer usage. A descriptive cross- sectional study was done. . Ethical clearance was obtained from Ethics committee of Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patna. Chi-square test was used to assess the significance finding at 95% confidence limit. Results: Both the undergraduates and postgraduates had good attitude towards computer usage. Among the undergraduates only 8(11.4%) and 38(54.2%) of the postgraduates used computer daily with relevance to dentistry/ patient use. Among the undergraduates 7(10%) and 51(72.8%) of the postgraduates used internet daily to check for academic information. Among the undergraduates 20(28.5%) and 65(92.5%) of the postgraduates checked e-mail daily with relevance to dentistry/patient use. Conclusion: Finding dental education information is easy on the internet and is also the most preferred place to search for information, updates and recent advances with respect to dentistry. Courses to develop students computer skills can improve this situation by influencing students attitudes and capabilities. In this era of competition, computer literacy and appropriate guidance for the sensible use of internet will keep our students from lagging behind. Institutes should play their role to facilitate and equip every student with the computing skills, along with developing an understanding and awareness regarding the appropriate and meaningful use of this technology among them.