The impact of biomedical technology education on health care professional's technophobia

Background

Technophobia, loosely defined as a fear of, or resistance to, new technology and computerization is recognized as a social characteristic in older ages but is potentially increased in specific domains.

Materials and methods

310 health professionals were recruited into the study during the routine life long learning educational program (lasting 2 months) organized by the personnel educational service for the stuff of the institution during 2004 to 2006. There are more female (72%) than males (28%). The mean age was 35.5 years and 40 % of the sample had 5 to 15 years professional experience at the hospital. A questionnaire that consisted of 16 items was used for data collection before and after the education process.

Results

Overall, the mean difference for the two groups (before and after the computer education program) was respectively significant according to our results (mean p<0.001). A total of 67 % of health professionals were “unconfident” to use any kind of equipment. 65 % of health professionals claimed that they had never obtained safety or health-related instructions for any kind of equipment before the course and overall, the mean difference for the two groups (before and after the computer education program) was respectively significant (p< 0.005).

Conclusions

Improved efforts such as inclusion of more computer education courses in health care curricular or in life long learning programs are required to increase the health care professional's access to computers and internet, conquering ‘Technophobia’ and computer anxiety.