To Assess the level of awareness and perception of digital healthcare tools among medical students of Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa

Abstract

Introduction: Digital health technologies such as telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health applications, artificial intelligence (AI), and wearable devices are transforming healthcare delivery. Medical students, as future providers, must be prepared to adopt and apply these innovations effectively. Assessing their current awareness and perceptions is essential to identify educational gaps and inform curriculum planning.

Aim/Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of awareness and perception of digital healthcare tools among medical students at Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa.

Material & Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted among n= 246 MBBS students across all years and internship. A structured, pre-tested tool collected demographic details, awareness of digital health tools, perceptions of utility, and barriers to use.

Results: Among 246 students, 91.9% were aged 18–25 years; 63% were male and 37% female. Most were in the pre-final year (63%), followed by first year (19.1%), internship (8.1%), second year (6.9%), and final year (2.8%).

Digital health in the curriculum was supported by 81.3% (27.2% strongly agree, 54.1% agree); 16.7% were neutral and 2% opposed. The mean Likert score was 4.06/5 (998/1230), showing strong acceptance. Willingness to use digital tools in future practice was 84.1%, with only 15.8% unwilling.

These findings confirm high readiness and positive attitudes toward digital health, stressing the need for structured training in medical education.

Conclusion: Medical students demonstrated strong support for integrating digital health into the curriculum, with high   willingness to adopt such tools in future practice. These findings highlight the need to introduce structured digital health training in medical education to prepare future doctors for technology-driven healthcare.