iPAD use in Graduate Medical Education: A Pilot study from A Medical College of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Introduction: National Medical Commission (NMC) has stressed upon online and blended learning and has recommended strongly for digital learning in undergraduate medical education. Aims & Objectives: to assess the prevalence of usage and perceptions towards technology among medical faculty members in study setting. Methods: an Institution-based cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaire was conducted for 3 months among forty-six teaching faculty over pre and para clinical departments of a medical college of West Bengal, who have received induction training and were using iPAD for teaching-learning. Results: among total 46 participants, 16 were from pre-clinical and 30 from different para-clinical departments. Though the duration of smartphone usage is more than 2 years by 2/3rd of them, less than ½ were found to be habituated with computer usage. 31 (67.39%) participants were found to use iPAD 3.01±1.00 hours for personal use and 19 (41.30%) use iPAD for 4.49±2.88 hours for educational purpose. More than 60% of participants recommended iPAD introduction in medical education. Conclusion: usage of iPAD among medical teachers has been widely accepted chiefly in acquiring wide range of resources, disseminating knowledge and managing time more effectively. Blended learning with compulsory digital learning is expected to broaden horizon of future medical education.