Comparing technology readiness of final year student and newly qualified AHP's, with AHP's who have been qualified for 10 years or more using the Technology Readiness Index (TRI): a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Question: Comparing technology readiness of final year student and newly qualified AHP's, with AHP's who have been qualified for 10 years or more: a prospective cohort study. Design: A prospective cohort study was conducted which used online and paper copies of a questionnaire. The survey included patient demographic questions at the beginning and recorded participant's age, gender, profession, time since qualified (if qualified), or year of study (if a student). The quantitative Technology Readiness Questionnaire was then used to gain information about each participant's technology readiness. Participants: To be included in the study, respondents to the online survey had to be Physiotherapy students from QMU, year four AHP students from QMU or NHS Lothian AHP's. Outcome measures: The Technology Readiness Index (TRI) is a 16 item scale with questions focusing on technology readiness. Each question relates to one of the four dimensions of; optimism, innovativeness, insecurity and discomfort Results: Findings showed that there was minimal differences in overall TRI between the two groups, however final year and newly qualified AHP's scored significantly higher on optimism, innovativeness and insecurity. Conclusion: With the NHS driving technologies forward in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of care delivered, it is becoming a required trait for students and staff to be able to embrace these changes. The findings suggest a need for an increase in support and training to both student and qualified AHP's in order to help shape their attitudes towards the use of technology.