Abstract:
To evaluate the use of computers and internet facilities by the staff in King Saud University – College of Dentistry, to identify the obstacles that prevent the staff from using either the computer and / or the internet and to propose solutions for these obstacles. 300 questionnaires were distributed to dental staff in King Saud University, College of Dentistry (Darraiyah University Campus and Malaz University Campus), the sample included faculty members, post graduate students, general and advanced practitioners and interns, dental secretaries and auxiliaries. The questionnaire consisted of 29 questions distributed over 6 major sections. Out of 300 questionnaires distributed, 213 were returned (71% response rate). 62.9% of the respondents were males and 37.1% were females. 77.5% were computer users (76.1% of the male sample and 79.7% of the female sample). 71.3% described their computer knowledge as moderate. 46.9% used the computer in the field of dentistry while 53.1% used it for general purposes. The most used internet applications were email 97.0% of the computer users. 81.25 access the internet from home. Finding information over the internet reported to be of moderate difficulty for 50.6%. Of the general internet limitations, slowness of the internet was reported y 58.5%. Limitations of the internet used in the college included not having enough time (42.7%) and limitation of computer facilities to faculty members (38.4%). 47.9% of those who did not use a computer related their problems to time limitation. Computers were mostly used for general purposes by dental staff. There is no significant difference in using computers between males and females among dental staff. The major limitation for not using the internet was slowness of the internet, time consuming and cost. Time and cost were the major limitations for not using computers.
Page(s):
79-84
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Oral and Dental Journal, Volume: 23, Issue: 1, Year: 2003