Evaluating Students’ Perspectives on The Role of Mhealth in Enhancing Clinical Study Experiences. A case Study of College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti

Abstract

This paper investigated the perceptions of students regarding the function of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in augmenting clinical study experiences among final year students within selected medical related disciplines. A descriptive research of the cross-sectional design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 250 students were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The Departments of Community Health Extension Workers, Paramedicine, and Medical Laboratory Technology were considered in the study. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire that encompassed dimensions of awareness, utilization, perceived impact, and challenges associated with mHealth. Findings derived from descriptive statistical analysis (frequencies, percentages, mean scores) indicated that while students demonstrated a moderate level of awareness regarding mHealth tools, the extent of their utilization was constrained. Students perceived mHealth tools as having a moderate impact on their clinical learning experiences, while simultaneously reporting considerable challenges, such as poor internet connectivity, insufficient technical support, and restricted access to pertinent applications. The study concludes by asserting that, despite students' awareness of the advantages offered by mHealth in clinical education, the practical integration of these technologies remains constrained. It advocates for enhanced institutional support, the provision of digital literacy training, the improvement of infrastructural capabilities, and the development of policy-driven integration strategies for mHealth technologies within medical education to effectively bridge the disparity between awareness and practical utilization.