Status of usage of Information Communications Technology by academic staff at a selected nursing training institution in South Africa

Abstract

Advances in information communications technology (ICT) has impacted every sphere of human life including the training of health care professionals and the delivery of health care. Training institutions have incorporated ICT into all spheres of student life and delivery in varying degrees. This study determined the status of usage of ICT by academic staff in a selected nurse training college in South Africa. Questionnaires were administered to 95 academic staff at the selected institution. The majority of academics at rural (86%) and urban (96%) campuses had access to a desktop computer and printer. Personal cellphones were used to communicate with students and colleagues using Facebook (15-20%) and SMS (43-58%). Staff had limited access to internet service or to electronic systems for student administration or research (<10%). Despite advances in ICT usage in nursing education globally, challenges exist in adopting it in the selected training institution.