Learning, understanding and the use of information technology

• Verfasst von: Wensing, Michel [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Paech, Barbara [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Roth, Catharina [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Schwill, Simon [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Learning, understanding and the use of information technology
• Titelzusatz: a survey study among primary care physician trainees
• Verf.angabe: Michel Wensing, Barbara Paech, Catharina Roth and Simon Schwill
• E-Jahr: 2019
• Jahr: 22 October 2019
• Umfang: 8 S.
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 11.11.2019
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: BMC health services research
• Ort Quelle: London : BioMed Central, 2001
• Jahr Quelle: 2019
• Band/Heft Quelle: 19(2019), Artikel-Nummer 728, 8 Seiten
• ISSN Quelle: 1472-6963
• DOI: doi:10.1186/s12913-019-4615-y
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• K10plus-PPN: 1681595435

Abstract

Background: User understanding of information technology systems (IT-Systems) is a prerequisite for their use. This study aimed to explore how primary care physician trainees learn, understand and use IT-Systems. Methods: A paper-based survey study among 301 primary care physician trainees in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, was performed. The questionnaire included measures of understanding and use of nine specific system features, five possible learning strategies, a validated scale for affinity for technology interaction, and five individual and three practice characteristics. Results: The sample comprised 94 respondents (31.6% response rate). Between 3.2 and 59.6% said to know specific systems features well; between 13.8 and 42.6% expressed a wish to know more about specific system features. The predominant strategy for learning system features was explanation by others: 51.7 to 66.7% had applied this strategy to learn the features. Between 18.6 and 41.4% had learned the features by trial and error. A better understanding of system features was associated with the use of a trial and error strategy for learning system features (beta = 0.260, p = 0.012). The use of a greater variety of learning strategies was associated with higher affinity for technology interaction (beta = 0.215, p = 0.037). Conclusion: The study suggests that many physicians need a better understanding of IT-Systems. The role of manuals, online resources and courses in learning IT-Systems seems limited. The new generation of primary care physicians seem to learn features of IT-Systems through explanation by others and trying in their ambulatory practices. The relevance of IT-Systems in healthcare is high, but physicians need more support in learning to use system features.