Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

PURPOSE

the purpose of this study was to ascertain diabetes educators' current use of computer technologies.

METHODS

The study population -consisted of 279 randomly selected certified diabetes educators, all of whom were members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Participants were asked to complete the Attitudes Toward Patient Education Technology instrument.

RESULTS

Descriptive findings showed that most educators (89.6%) have access to computers and use them primarily for word processing (43%). Nearly 30% of participants had never accessed the Internet, and no significant difference was noted when this variable was categorized by age. In addition, age and gender were not significant predictors of computer use, although age was significantly related to computer ownership. Patient access and organizational issues were the primary barriers to computer use in patient education.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide further understanding of diabetes educators' computer use and integration of computer technology in the patient education process.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Lewis D . Computer-based approaches to patient education: a review of the literature. J Am Med Inf Assoc. 1999;6: 272-282.

2. Castaldini M , Saltmarch M , Luck S , Sucher K . The development and pilot testing of a multimedia CD-ROM for diabetes education. Diabetes Educ. 1998;24:285-296.

3. Wise PH , Dowlatshahi DC , Farrant S , Fromson S , Meadows kA Effect of computer-based learning on diabetes knowledge and control. Diabetes Care. 1986;9: 504-508.

4. Brown S , Lieberman D , Gemeny B , et al. Educational video game for juvenile diabetes: results of a controlled trial. Med Inf. 1997;22:77-89.

5. Ogozalek VZ . The automated pharmacist: comparing the use of leaflets, text-based computers, and multimedia computers to provide medication information to the elderly. J Med Educ Technol. 1993;Spring:6-11.

6. Lehmann ED . Extended conference report: computers in diabetes '96. Med Inf. 1997;22: 105-118.

7. Turnin MCG , Beddok R , Clottes J . Telematic expert system Diabeto: new tool for diet self-monitoring for diabetic patients. Diabetes Care. 1992;215: 204-212.

8. Shepperd S , Coulter A , Farmer A . Using interactive videos in general practice to inform patients about treatment choices: a pilot study. Fam Pract. 1995;12:443-447.

9. Nishimoto M , Kobayashii Y , Kuribayashi S , et al. Computer assisted instruction for diabetic patients using multimedia environment on a Macintosh computer. In: Grobe SJ , Pluyter Wenting E , eds. Nursing Informatics: An International Overview in a Technological Era. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1994:423-423.

10.

10. Horan P , Yarborough M , Besigel G , Carlson D . Computer-assisted self-control of diabetes by adolescents. Diabetes Educ. 1990;16:205-211.

11.

11. Juge C , Assal J . Designing computer assisted instruction programs for diabetic patients: how can we make them really useful? Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care, Washington, DC, November 8-12,1991. New York: McGrawHill; 1992:215-219.

12.

12. Lewis D . Computer-based patient education: use by diabetes educators. Diabetes Educ. 1996;22:140-145.

13.

13. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse . Computer Programs for Diabetes. Washington, DC: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse;1993.

14.

14. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse . Computer Programs for Diabetes. Washington, DC: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse;1997.

15.

15. Anderson R , Donnelly M , Hess G . An assessment of computer use, knowledge, and attitudes of diabetes educators. Diabetes Educ.1992;18:40-46.

16.

16. Funnell M , Donnelly M , Anderson R , Johnson P . Perceived effectiveness, cost, and availability of patient education methods and materials. Diabetes Educ. 1992;18:139-145.

17.

17. Howard GS , Smith RD . Computer anxiety in management: myth or reality? Commun ACM. 1986;29:611-615.

18.

18. Raub AC. Correlates of computer anxiety in college students. [dissertation]. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania; 1981.

19.

19. Gordon HRD . Analysis of computer anxiety levels of secondary technical education teachers in West Virginia. ERIC Document Reproduction Service. 1993;ED 357218.

20.

20. Krendl KA , Broihier MC , Fleetwood C . Children and computers: do sex-related differences persist? J Commun. 1989;39:85-93.

21.

21. Siann G , Durndell A , Macleod H , Glissov P . Stereotyping in relation to the gender gap in participation in computing. Educ Res. 1988;30: 98-103.

22.

22. Kay R . An analysis of methods used to examine gender differences in computerrelated behavior. J Educ Comput Res. 1992;8:277-290.

23.

23. Whitley BE . Gender differences in computer-related attitudes and behavior: a metaanalysis. Comput Hum Behav. 1997;13:1-22.

24.

24. Rogers E . Diffusions of Innovations. New York: The Free Press;1983.

25.

25. Mueller D . Survey examines teachers' attitudes toward computers [newsletter]. Phi Delta Kappa Int. 1997;42:4-4.

Current Computer Use by Diabetes Educators

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References