Learning, understanding and the use of information technology: a survey study among primary care physician trainees

• Egile Nagusiak: Michel Wensing (Egilea), Barbara Paech (Egilea), Catharina Roth (Egilea), Simon Schwill (Egilea)
• Formatua: Liburua
• Argitaratua: BMC, 2019-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Gaiak: article
• Sarrera elektronikoa: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s12913-019-4615-y; 1472-6963
• Keywords: Physician behaviour; Primary care; Information technology; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Health Services Research, Vol 19, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2019)

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.