Unveiling the Digital Deficit: Assessing Computer Literacy among Medical and Dental Students at a Private Institution of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study explores the level of computer literacy among medical and dental students at a private institution in Pakistan. Objective: To identify the discrepancies and address the need for technological proficiency in modern healthcare education. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study involving 400 randomly sampled participants. The questionnaires consisted of demographic information, computer accessibility, and a pre-validated questionnaire to assess computer literacy, which comprised 24 items across six divisions. The data were gathered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Results showed that while computer accessibility was high (84.5%), its primary use was personal, with limited application for academic purposes. Familiarity was highest with Microsoft Word (48.3%), contrasting with lower proficiency in Microsoft Excel (30%). Limited understanding of computer hardware (31.3%) was noted, reflecting a potential gap in computer literacy skills. The study identified a strong association between early computer access and prior education with current computer literacy. Deficiencies in computer literacy were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, where inadequate skills hindered the abrupt shift to online learning. The study emphasizes the necessity for integrating computer literacy into medical education curricula, promoting structured training, and fostering the medical faculty. Conclusion: The findings reflect limitations in computer literacy among medical and dental students. We explored the challenges and barriers and suggested strategies for improvement to prepare future healthcare professionals for the challenges of modern healthcare.