Research on Digital Divide among Medical Students

The Worldwide internet population is over 1.59 billion with the highest percentage of internet users in Asia (41.2%), followed by Europe (24.6%) and North America (15.7%). The major users in Asia are in populace nations like China (45.3%) and India (12.3%). Despite that internet use still remains to be uneven between nations. Percentage of population using Internet is still much higher in the USA (74.7%) than China (22.4%) and India (7.4%).

"Digital divide" is the division between those who have access to Information and communication technology (ICT) (“haves”) and are using it effectively, and those who do not (“have-nots”). The “have-nots” are deprived of jobs, improved healthcare and enhanced education which is a lost opportunity towards improving their lives.  

People in a particular country are more receptive to internet than people in other countries. It is not only due to computers and internet connections. Factors like gender, ethnicity, age, personal characteristics, socio-cultural status, socio-economic settings, location (national status, urban-rural), prior computing experience and physical disability may exacerbate this disparity. 

ICT is revolutionizing medical science by bringing in new opportunities and challenges. It is having an impact on the way students are learning and teachers are teaching. However some surveys have reported that medical students use computers mainly for non-academic purposes, like writing letters or entertainment (playing games, watching movies). 

In a study carried out on Chinese students studying in China and British students studying in the UK, Graff et al. suggested that individuals differed towards computer-based learning and Internet use. The differences were mainly due to nationality and cognitive learning style. It is thus important to understand the factors that might account for the digital divide across cultures and countries. In our study we have demonstrated that given the same infrastructure and social setting ICT use to some extent is affected by factors like gender, cultural and national status. 

Doctors in Gram Bangla

Presentation at a Seminar organized by the Center for International Rural Medical Education (CIRME), China and China Medical Board (CMB)

Journal Club for Undergraduate Students

Md. Tanveer Raza with Pranav Vaidya & Ravi Chandu

Journal clubs have been used as a teaching format in academic medicine for over a century. The aim is to involve undergraduate medical students in critical appreciation of scientific literature. Students become familiar with research and develop a better understanding of epidemiology and biostatistics.

A Journal club is made of students who meet regularly to discuss critically a published article of common interest. The article is usually written by researchers and clinicians over a defined topic in any field of medicine. Club activities are formalized. Meetings are held at regular intervals which should fit conveniently into the teaching schedule. A student committee is responsible for overseeing club activities and students voluntarily suggest articles relevant to their studies. A group of students would present the selected article and critically discuss its content. Presentation by students is compulsory and students are given time to prepare for their presentation. The article is made known to all in advance. To optimize participation credit is given for attendance.

According to a standard agenda, on the day of meeting the presentation is made orally in English followed by queries which often generate a lively debate. A guest faculty who is an expert on the concerned topic is often invited to stimulate the discussion. A faculty member acts as the mentor and is responsible for assessing and suggesting improvements in club activities.

Students get an opportunity to present scientific papers orally to their peers and develop their debating skills. A well organized Journal Club can generate greater interest toward advanced learning among students.

Ref: Journal club at a Chinese university for international medical students