OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students; determine the reliability of psychometric constructs that determine technology acceptance; and determine constructs that directly correlate with PDA use. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed containing descriptive and psychometric items and administered to PharmD students at 2 universities. RESULTS: Over half of new users (58.1%) and experienced users (51.3%) reported using their PDA at least weekly. Eighty-four percent of experienced users used their PDA at least weekly to look up drug information. The most reliable scales were perceived usefulness (alpha = 0.92), perceived ease of use (alpha = 0.89), and attitude towards behavior (alpha = 0.84). Intention to use and self-reported use of PDAs were strongly correlated with perceived usefulness, attitude towards behavior, and compatibility. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pharmacy students used their PDAs at least weekly and find them most useful for looking up drug information.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students; determine the reliability of psychometric constructs that determine technology acceptance; and determine constructs that directly correlate with PDA use. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed containing descriptive and psychometric items and administered to PharmD students at 2 universities. RESULTS: Over half of new users (58.1%) and experienced users (51.3%) reported using their PDA at least weekly. Eighty-four percent of experienced users used their PDA at least weekly to look up drug information. The most reliable scales were perceived usefulness (alpha = 0.92), perceived ease of use (alpha = 0.89), and attitude towards behavior (alpha = 0.84). Intention to use and self-reported use of PDAs were strongly correlated with perceived usefulness, attitude towards behavior, and compatibility. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pharmacy students used their PDAs at least weekly and find them most useful for looking up drug information.
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Keywords:
personal digital assistant; pharmacy student; technology