Abstract:
This study aimed at assessing the information literacy skills of MD medical postgraduate trainees
in the electronic environment. The mixed method approach of both quantitative and qualitative
was used and the population of this study was 815 MD medical postgraduate trainees in 32
medical specialties. Applying the ‘Lwanga and Lemeshow’ method 427 trainees were selected as
sample. The questionnaire and the focus group discussions were the data collecting instruments.
Data from the questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS ver. 23. QDA Miner lite was used to
analyze the data from focus group discussions. Total number of 427 questionnaires were
distributed and 380 of them responded at the rate of 89%. Thirty-two (32) participants from 32
medical specialties were invited for the focus group discussions. Findings revealed that 276
males and 104 females responded, respectively. The findings revealed that the majority of
respondents (74.5%) required information to prepare them for examinations and 58.7% required
information for publications. Out of total respondents, 16.6% and 15.8% stated that their
computer and internet literacy were poor and very poor, respectively. Several suggestions were
made by the respondents from focus group discussions regarding the training needs for
enhancing electronic information literacy. Among them 48.4% stated that they have enough skills
and 42.9% have requested for training on accessing electronic resources. However, 22.4% of PG
trainees strongly agreed that they have no skills to access electronic resources thus it affects their
PG medical education. More than 75% of the respondents highly stressed about the training on
searching techniques to narrow down their search to get the most accurate and relevant resources,
and to save their time. Based on the findings, study concluded that information literacy skills
play a vital role in the use of electronic information resources and a proper training is needed in
information literacy skills. Findings of the study recommend that the library of PGIM should
provide proper training on information literacy skills and should enhance efficient Internet
services in the library.
