The relationship of age, level of formal education, and duration of employment toward attitudes concerning the use of computers in the workplace.

The introduction of computer technology in the Canadian health care environment necessitates an adaptation by hospital employees in order to perform their jobs. One thousand twenty-two hospital staff were surveyed immediately following their initial orientation to computers. The survey identified attitudes toward change, and the use of computers in the workplace. Demographic data and job classifications of all respondents were tabulated. Hypotheses were tested regarding the relationships between age, formal education, and duration of employment, and attitudes toward computers and change. Results indicated a generally positive response toward the use of computers in the workplace and to change in general. However, statistically significant results were obtained indicating that age, level of education, and length of employment affect the degree of positive response to both computers and change. The results suggest that demographic variables such as age, level of education, and employment duration must be taken into consideration when planning for the implementation of computer systems in the health care setting.