Skill, Attitude and Use of Computer and Internet in Scholarly Works and Educational Affairs by Faculty Members of Mazandaran Universities of Medical Sciences

Use of the internet to retrieve health information is increasingly common. The present study aimed to determine the ratio of attitude, skill and performance of faculty members in using computer and internet in research and educational affairs at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional study, an expert-reviewed and pilot-tested questionnaire, in 3 dimensions of attitude, skill, and usage, was used to collect data from 124 faculty members coming from five faculties of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using Spearman correlation test, central and scattered indices. Most of study population (38.7%) was in good skill level, 15.3% in average, 11.3% in weak, and 29% in excellent skill level. 58.9% of faculty members had excellent attitude and 26.6% good attitude about using internet and computer in medical education. About performance, 41.9% used computer 10-15 hours per week and in average, 33.9% used internet more than 60 hours per month. According to positive attitude of the faculty members to computer and internet in medical education and lack of enough knowledge and skill, it is necessary to think about promoting their skills and performances for optimal use of computer and internet in research and educational affairs. It is recommended to provide educational workshops based on needs due to knowledge, skill and science for faculty members of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, so they can gain from computer an internet facilities and electronic databases.