Use of information communication technology among optometrists in Nigeria

Abstract

Since the development of the computer and the evolution of the internet, information communication technology (ICT) has had a positive impact on health care delivery systems worldwide, particularly in the areas of disease control.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of utilization of ICT in eye care services, among Nigerian Optometrists.

Method: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study with the use of questionnaires. It was conducted in July of 2014 during the scientific conference and annual general meeting of the Nigerian Optometric Association which was held in Asaba, Delta State. The questionnaire investigated the practice, pattern, use and access to internet.

Results: Three hundred questionnaires were given out and 243 were returned properly filled. Among those who reported gender, there were 42.4% males and 56.4% females. Age of respondents ranged from 25 to 50 years with a mean age of 30 ±2.12 years. Majority of the respondents (86.6%) had access to internet often. Ninety four point two percent (94.2%) of the respondents owned a portable electronic device with internet access. Smartphones were the most commonly owned hand held device (72.9%). The younger age group spent significantly longer hours online per day than the older age group (p = 0.045). Length of time spent online per day was however not dependent on gender. Majority (42.2%), of the respondents used internet for 'personal matters'. Twenty point seven percent (20.7%) of the respondents often communicate with their patients via email. Communication with patients via email was not related to gender (X² = 3.180, p = 0.204). A total of 47.5% often seek online assistance in patients' diagnosis while 40.9% rarely do so. Facebook (33.0%) and WhatsApp (29.0%) were the commonest social media platforms used. There was no significant relationship between respondents seeking online assistance in patients' diagnosis and gender (X² = 4.787, p = 0.091) but was significantly related to age (X² = 21.073, p = 0.021). Seventy percent (70.0%) of respondents researched patients' ailments online. Researching patients' ailment online was not related to gender (X² = 5.507, p = 0.064) but was significantly related to age (X² = 20.563, p = 0.024).

Conclusion: Most Optometrists have internet access on their digital devices which they used for both personal and professional matters. However, younger Practitioners were more inclined to use the internet for patient management than the older ones. The gains of ICT can only be fully harnessed in health care, when the majority, if not all professionals, become knowledgeable and are willing to utilize computers and ICT.