THE PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY OF LOUISIANA DIETITIANS

Use of technology can improve dietitians' productivity; however, if technophobia is experienced, productivity is negatively affected. The purpose of this survey was to assess Louisiana dietitians' use of technology for improving their personal productivity. A pretested questionnaire concerning technology use and availability, interest in continuing education in the use of technology, and computer anxiety was mailed to a random sample of 200 of the 808 dietitians in Louisiana. Of the surveys returned (43%), 86% were usable. The dietitians reported high personal productivity with 71 (83%) “usually” using their time effectively and efficiently. Overall technology use was only 31.2 ± 9.9 points on a 64-point scale. Dietitians who used more technology reported higher productivity than those who used less (p < 0.05). Phone answering machines (58%), computers (44%), word processing programs (37%), facsimile machines (30%), and pagers (24%) were the most regularly used technology. Respondents scored an average of 71.59 ± 8.94 points on the Computer Anxiety Index, significantly different from the norm of 60.25 ± 18.50 points for other groups (p < 0.01). This finding indicates that Louisiana dietitians experience moderate computer anxiety. Dietitians not working were more computer anxious than those who worked full-time (p < 0.05). Technology use and computer anxiety were inversely related (r = -0.37). In order to work effectively, dietitians need to justify, obtain, and regularly use technological advances. Educators and employers need to provide technology training in a supportive environment.