Importance of Medical Informatics in Medical Students' Curricula in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The main purpose of this research project is to determine the importance of Medical Informatics (MI) course inclusion in the curriculum studied by medical students in Saudi Arabia. The healthcare environment has changed dramatically since last few decades. It has become an information- intensive environment and has shifted its focus on technological applications. As a result of such a shift in focus, efforts should be made that future healthcare professionals be prepared for such an environment through MI. This research project aims to determine the acceptance of MI applications by medical students. The study will compare the acceptability of MI applications among medical students who take MI course with medical students who do not have such a MI course in their curriculum. In addition, the research project will assess MI knowledge among all the medical students.