The evaluation of computer knowledge and skills of medical students: a three-year comparison

In 1991, four hundred and forty three (443) first-fourth-and final-year students from the Monash University, Faculty of Medicine were surveyed to seek details of previous computer use [1], knowledge of computer concepts, individual computer skills, perceived usefulness of computers in medicine, and the level of interest in further education on medical computing. his poster will demonstrate the comparison of statistics obtained in the first questionnaire (1991) with the results of the same questionnaire that is currently being distributed and analyzed (1994 -1995). As a response to the first study, Medical Informatics as an optional subject was introduced in 1992 to first, second, and third year medical students. Medical Informatics is currently being developed for inclusion as a compulsory subject for first year students in 1995, taking into account the results of both the first and second survey.