Computer and internet: availability and uses among medical students at King Faisal University-KSA

To assess computer availability, skills, and the current role of computer in the process of medical education. To explore the uses of the internet in the field of medical education, frequency, nature of materials navigated by the medical students and it's relevance to the educational and self-learning processes. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was adopted. Medical students from 4[th] and 3[rd] and 2[nd] year medical students at the College of Medicine, King Faisal University-Al-Hassa who were willing to participate were included. A total of 141 subjects out of 180 students were enrolled of only male sex. Data collection was carried out using a pre-tested self administered questionnaire as regard computer availability, methods of teaching using computer technology, personal computer skills, and web navigation. The obtained data was entered and analyzed using the SPSS version 11.01. Personal computer ownership is widely spread, computer and Internet usage is one of the daily norms among the included students. Computer skills especially those concerned with creation of presentations, statistical calculations und graphics showed a great deficiency. Usage of the Web technology in the fields of medical education is minimal as about 98% of the internet usage was irrelevant. The role of the faculty staff in promoting and vitalizing the potentials of the computer and internet technology was questionable. Tailoring of specific training courses aiming to improve skills in the fields of proper data handling, presentations, and other requisites for future good quality physicians. Training and proper orientation of the faculty staff regards the proper implementation computer-based curriculum delivery, construction of web-based assignments, and research conduction