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Knowledge and Perceptions of e-Health: Results of a Survey of Medical Students in Sri Lanka

The present study investigates the perceptions and attitudes of medical students in Sri Lanka in regard to e-health, level of their knowledge in e-health and their expectations. We also examined the barriers which impede them to develop knowledge and skills in e-health within their medical curriculum. A questionnaire focusing on the knowledge, attitudes and expectations of medical students towards e-health was distributed to all final year students (n=136) at the Faculty of Medicine, Sri Jayewardenepura University, Sri Lanka. The survey was conducted during their regular lectures and completed questionnaires were collected after their classes. 100 surveys (74%) were completed and returned. 43% of respondents stated that they were familiar with the term e-health. 51% rated their knowledge of e-health applications as minimal. 88% admitted that they had no e-health education or training of any kind. Over 80% of all respondents thought that e-health had an important role to play in the current and future health sector, particularly in developing countries. Our survey revealed that respondents had very poor access to computers and Internet use was rare. 77% of respondents admitted that they were not provided with systematic knowledge and skills in e-health through their medical curriculum and identified the absence of formal education in e-health as a serious shortcoming. Despite the fact that the majority of respondents believe that e-health can be a useful tool, particularly for medical practitioners in developing countries, a lack of systematic courses to provide knowledge and hands-on skills prevent them benefiting from this modality.