Do trainees have adequate access to computers and computer software?

Abstract
Aims and Method: To find out whether trainees have access to computers and computer software; to estimate the demand for more access and training; and to see whether requests for more computer access over a 2-year period led to change. A questionnaire was sent to trainees in November 1997, and again 2 years later.Results: Only half of the senior house officers and three-quarters of specialist registrars said they had access to computers. For those with access, this tended to be for word processing and Medline. Only one-quarter had access to the internet. There was a strong demand for wider access and for more training. There was little change in the provision of computers and software over the 2-year period.Conclusion: To take advantage of developments in technology, psychiatrists need to have access to computers. This survey suggests that trainees are not being adequately prepared for the future.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: