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PubMed2002

The efficacy of computer glasses in reduction of computer worker symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Computer workers with presbyopia are at greater risk for the development of symptoms with a conventional prescription vs. a computer prescription because general-wear multi-focal corrections often do not provide adequate correction for the viewing distances and angles needed at the computer workstation. "Computer glasses," as defined by the American Optometric Association, are specifically designed for the computer workplace and have a different lens design or prescription than general-wear glasses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of computer glasses in reduction of symptoms of presbyopic computer users. METHODS: Subjects were 26 symptomatic presbyopic computer users who had had an eye examination within the past year and had 20/20 vision at distance and near with habitual glasses. Two interventions in planned alternating order were tested for 3 weeks each on all subjects. One intervention was computer glasses. The comparison intervention was an ergonomic self-assessment tool (ESAT) with their habitual Rx. Symptoms were assessed before and after each intervention. A post-comparative questionnaire asked subjects to reflect on the relative efficacy and ease of use of the two interventions. RESULTS: The computer glasses were significantly more effective at reducing the frequency and severity (p < 0.008) of the symptoms than the ESAT, and 24 of 26 subjects judged the computer glasses to bemore effective. Subjects attributed 80.7% of symptom reduction to the computer glasses and 19.3% to the ESAT. Although the ESAT was judged effective, it was not as effective as the computer glasses. CONCLUSION: Computer glasses have been shown to be effective in reduction of vision-related symptoms of computer users.

Computers↗
PubMed1998

Computer experience and computer attitude: a model to predict the use of computerised information systems.

Computers are now essential technology in use by health workers. The literature shows that a number of factors effect the use of computers and many of them are related to attitude towards automation. Computer experience has been mostly used as a factor that effects computer attitude and its relationship with computer anxiety and computer use is not simple. Survey data from a study of 302 health workers, employed in a community setting was used to model the prediction of intention to use computers. The final model shows that 'positive computer experience' had a significant effect on computer attitude, computer anxiety and intention to use computers (both directly and indirectly). The model also confirms that those with a positive attitude towards computers had stronger intention to use computers. The value of these findings to health organisations in implementing automated systems is discussed.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed1995

Evaluating graduate and undergraduate nursing students' computer skills to determine the need to continue teaching computer literacy.

1. INTRODUCTION. This descriptive study examined undergraduate and graduate nursing students' perceptions of their computer literacy skills to determine whether faculty should continue teaching basic computing skills in nursing programs. As in Bryson's study [1] the computer literate nurse is one who understands the concepts of hardware, software, and operating systems; who is able ot use the computer to learn; and who is able ot use such applications as word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Zeimer [2] predicted that by 1994 students entering nursing schools would be prepared to use computers and that further teaching of computer skills would not be needed. Some faculty, however, have felt that students are not entering nursing programs prepared to use computers. 2. TOOLS. A Level of Computer Experience (LCE) tool was developed to measure the computer literacy skills of students entering the first of three Masters' level nursing informatics courses over a six-year period. The instrument's 25 items determined experience with: operating systems, hardware, learning tools, applications, and information systems (IS) life cycle (design, selection, implementation, evaluation and project management). The instrument was modified for undergraduate students; this eliminated the items relating to the IS life cycle since these items reflect advanced skills. The resulting instrument was composed of the first 16 items of the original Level of Computer Experience tool. For each item, a four pint Likert scale allowed respondents to choose from the words "none," "some," "moderate," and "extensive" to describe their level of experience. For scoring purposes each word was assigned a numerical value as follows: none = 1, some = 2, moderate = 3, and extensive =4. 3. DATA. The LCE was administered to 65 sophomore nursing students and 74 graduate nursing informatics students. Undergraduate scored 4 items (use of microcomputer, use of IBM type computer, keyboard skills and use of WordPerfect). This score was above the 2 or 'some' experience level. Mean scores for all other items ranged between 1 and 2. Graduate informatics students also had higher mean scores for the 4 items. No mean scores reached the 'moderate' level for either group. One-way analysis of variances showed significant differences between the undergraduate and graduate students on the item concerning use of statistical packages. 4. CONCLUSIONS. In this population, both graduate and undergraduate nursing students continue to possess low levels of computer literacy skills. Since many students come into nursing programs without the capability of using information technology in practice, schools need to continue providing a way for students to obtain computer literacy skills.

Baltimore↗
PubMed2001

From computing with numbers to computing with words. From manipulation of measurements to manipulation of perceptions.

Interest in issues relating to consciousness has grown markedly during the last several years. And yet, nobody can claim that consciousness is a well-understood concept that lends itself to precise analysis. It may be argued that, as a concept, consciousness is much too complex to fit into the conceptual structure of existing theories based on Aristotelian logic and probability theory. An approach suggested in this paper links consciousness to perceptions and perceptions to their descriptors in a natural language. In this way, those aspects of consciousness which relate to reasoning and concept formation are linked to what is referred to as the methodology of computing with words (CW). Computing, in its usual sense, is centered on manipulation of numbers and symbols. In contrast, computing with words, or CW for short, is a methodology in which the objects of computation are words and propositions drawn from a natural language (e.g., small, large, far, heavy, not very likely, the price of gas is low and declining, Berkeley is near San Francisco, it is very unlikely that there will be a significant increase in the price of oil in the near future, etc.). Computing with words is inspired by the remarkable human capability to perform a wide variety of physical and mental tasks without any measurements and any computations. Familiar examples of such tasks are parking a car, driving in heavy traffic, playing golf, riding a bicycle, understanding speech, and summarizing a story. Underlying this remarkable capability is the brain's crucial ability to manipulate perceptions--perceptions of distance, size, weight, color, speed, time, direction, force, number, truth, likelihood, and other characteristics of physical and mental objects. Manipulation of perceptions plays a key role in human recognition, decision and execution processes. As a methodology, computing with words provides a foundation for a computational theory of perceptions: a theory which may have an important bearing on how humans make--and machines might make--perception-based rational decisions in an environment of imprecision, uncertainty, and partial truth. A basic difference between perceptions and measurements is that, in general, measurements are crisp, whereas perceptions are fuzzy. One of the fundamental aims of science has been and continues to be that of progressing from perceptions to measurements. Pursuit of this aim has led to brilliant successes. We have sent men to the moon; we can build computers that are capable of performing billions of computations per second; we have constructed telescopes that can explore the far reaches of the universe; and we can date the age of rocks that are millions of years old. But alongside the brilliant successes stand conspicuous underachievements and outright failures. We cannot build robots that can move with the agility of animals or humans; we cannot automate driving in heavy traffic; we cannot translate from one language to another at the level of a human interpreter; we cannot create programs that can summarize non-trivial stories; our ability to model the behavior of economic systems leaves much to be desired; and we cannot build machines that can compete with children in the performance of a wide variety of physical and cognitive tasks. It may be argued that underlying the underachievements and failures is the unavailability of a methodology for reasoning and computing with perceptions rather than measurements. An outline of such a methodology--referred to as a computational theory of perceptions--is presented in this paper. The computational theory of perceptions (CTP) is based on the methodology of CW. In CTP, words play the role of labels of perceptions, and, more generally, perceptions are expressed as propositions in a natural language. CW-based techniques are employed to translate propositions expressed in a natural language into what is called the Generalized Constraint Language (GCL). In this language, the meaning of a proposition is expressed as a generalized constraint, X isr R, where X is the constrained variable, R is the constraining relation, and isr is a variable copula in which r is an indexing variable whose value defines the way in which R constrains X. Among the basic types of constraints are possibilistic, veristic, probabilistic, random set, Pawlak set, fuzzy graph, and usuality. The wide variety of constraints in GCL makes GCL a much more expressive language than the language of predicate logic. In CW, the initial and terminal data sets, IDS and TDS, are assumed to consist of propositions expressed in a natural language. These propositions are translated, respectively, into antecedent and consequent constraints. Consequent constraints are derived from antecedent constraints through the use of rules of constraint propagation. The principal constraint propagation rule is the generalized extension principle. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Consciousness↗
PubMed2003

Beyond input-output computings: error-driven emergence with parallel non-distributed slime mold computer.

The emergence derived from errors is the key importance for both novel computing and novel usage of the computer. In this paper, we propose an implementable experimental plan for the biological computing so as to elicit the emergent property of complex systems. An individual plasmodium of the true slime mold Physarum polycephalum acts in the slime mold computer. Modifying the Elementary Cellular Automaton as it entails the global synchronization problem upon the parallel computing provides the NP-complete problem solved by the slime mold computer. The possibility to solve the problem by giving neither all possible results nor explicit prescription of solution-seeking is discussed. In slime mold computing, the distributivity in the local computing logic can change dynamically, and its parallel non-distributed computing cannot be reduced into the spatial addition of multiple serial computings. The computing system based on exhaustive absence of the super-system may produce, something more than filling the vacancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The desk-top computer as a magic box: patterns of behaviour connected with the desk-top computer; GPs' and patients' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: The use of computers in general practice is becoming increasingly common. There has been concern about effects on doctor-patient communication. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify common patterns in the use of desk-top computers by GPs with regard to interaction with the patients, and to assess the GPs' and patients' perceptions of the use of the computer. METHOD: Thirty-nine video-taped consultations with five different GPs were analysed inductively, inspired by the principles of 'grounded theory'. On separate occasions the five GPs and 12 of the previously video-taped patients watched and commented on the video recordings of their own consultation. RESULTS: The study showed that the computer was sometimes used in a way that was not originally intended. Use of the computer could be identified as a way of obtaining 'time-out' in the consultation. It could also be a referral to a 'magic box'. The conversation often changed when the computer was used. The interviews showed that the patients lacked understanding about the computer's functions. They also lacked knowledge about the possibility of loss of confidentiality with electronic files. The patients found it disturbing not knowing what their doctor was doing when he worked on the computer, and they preferred being able to see the computer screen. The GPs were surprised at how their own use of the computer looked on the video, and as a result of the interview they wanted to change their behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that patients need more information about the use of computers by GPs, and that GPs may benefit from paying more attention to their computer use.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Psychology of computer use: XXIII. Validating a measure of computer-related stress.

Prediction of the final grade in a computer course using the Computer Technology Hassles Scale, a measure of computer-related stress, was investigated. A sample of 154 university students enrolled in computer courses completed questionnaires covering demographic data, information on computer use, the Computer Technology Hassles Scale, and somatic complaint items of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Pearson correlations indicated scores on the Computer Technology Hassles Scale were significantly associated .27 with somatic complaints, -.24 with computer-course grades, and -.18 with self-rated computer knowledge. Regression analysis indicated that self-rated computer knowledge and scores on the Computer Technology Hassles Scale significantly predicted computer-course grade.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Computer skills and attitudes to computer-aided learning among medical students.

One hundred and forty-four third-year medical students at the University of Edinburgh were surveyed as to levels of computing skills and confidence in carrying out computing tasks. Attitudes to computer-aided learning for clinical teaching were also measured. Thirty-one per cent of students had not used a computer in the previous year and 38% had not used a computer outside supervised laboratory work. Twenty-two per cent had never used the university library computerized catalogue and 43% had never carried out a medline search using the library CD-ROM. Students were not confident of their ability to carry out simple computing tasks. Fifty-four per cent said they would need support or instruction in printing out a document, 69% were not confident they could copy a file onto a disk and 74% did not believe they could independently create a graph in a document. Students who had completed an intercalated honours year were significantly more skilled and confident in computing tasks. Attitudes to computer-aided learning were related to computing confidence. Medical students who have not acquired basic computer information technology (IT) skills by the third year of undergraduate training are unlikely to do so in the final hospital-based years. Undergraduate curricula for medical students must incorporate specific computer (IT) training.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed1995

Assessment of the completeness and accuracy of computer medical records in four practices committed to recording data on computer.

BACKGROUND: General practice computer databases are being increasingly seen as a source of data for public health monitoring and commissioning. Such ambitions depend on routine clinical data being recorded with acceptable completeness and accuracy. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the completeness and accuracy of the computer medical records in four high-recording general practices. METHOD: Four general practices in the Trent Region that use the EMIS computer system, and were known to be high recorders of clinical data on their computer databases, were selected. A retrospective analysis of the computer records, a prospective comparison of a sample of computer records with manual records, and a prospective comparison between videorecorded consultations and their manual and computer records were undertaken. RESULTS: Checks for completeness in computer recording of diabetes mellitus and glaucoma showed high levels of accurate recording, 97% and 92% respectively. Prevalence rates between practices were reasonably comparable. No practice consistently, across 10 diagnoses, recorded prevalences higher or lower than the other practices; those diagnoses with recognized objective diagnostic criteria were recorded with a more consistent prevalence than those without. Lifestyle data recording was low; overall, smoking habits and alcohol consumption were recorded for 52% and 38% of patients aged over 16 years, respectively. Comparison of the manual records with the computer records showed that the computer records were sufficiently complete with regard to diagnoses (82% of all items recorded), prescriptions (100%) and referrals (67%), but missed most of the remaining data that a manual record captured. The videorecorded validation study showed that there were no important lapses in the recording of diagnoses, prescriptions or referrals when the computer recording was compared to the actual process of the consultations. CONCLUSION: In these four high-recording practices the data in computer records were of sufficient completeness and accuracy to allow meaningful data aggregation for some diagnoses, prescriptions and referrals. Standardized protocols for defining which patients are included and excluded from major disease groups are required.

England↗
PubMed1997

Psychology of computer use: XLII. Problem solving and humor as a function of computer anxiety.

From a pool of 115 undergraduate women, 20 were placed in a Computer-anxious group and 20 in a Computer-nonanxious group based on their scores on the Computer Anxiety Scale. Half of the subjects were randomly assigned to a group to which the computer presented the problems first and half to a group to whom the computer presented the jokes first. Electromyograms from subjects' zygomatic muscles were monitored as well as palmar skin conductance. Behavioral measures were collected prior to and following the computer interaction. Although the electromyogram for zygomatic tension (smiles) was higher in the jokes condition, indicating that subjects responded to jokes as humorous, Computer-anxious subjects showed increased scores on anxiety and depression and relatively high skin conductance on the initial joke. Subjects with high computer-anxiety had less experience with computers, had lower scores on the Rosenberg Self-esteem test, and, likely not being familiar with computer humor, reacted anxiously.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1998

Computer anxiety: a comparison of pen-based personal digital assistants, conventional computer and paper assessment of mood and performance.

The recent growth of pen-based devices, such as the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), offer mobility and a more natural interface than that of a conventional computer. The feasibility and application of the PDA for mood and cognitive assessment were investigated by examining possible interactions of individual characteristics and administration medium. Previous studies have provided evidence that individual characteristics of 'computer anxiety' and 'private self-consciousness' divergently covaried with mood scores measured by computer and paper methods. To investigate the relationship between individual characteristics and medium effects, 136 paid participants were allocated to and completed mood assessment tasks and a short battery of cognitive tasks by either the computer, PDA or the paper method. Self-ratings of mood measured by these three modalities covaried divergently with measures of computer anxiety and private self-consciousness. In addition, computer anxiety covaried with reaction time on the visual search task obtained on computers, but there was no such relationship when measured by a PDA. These results show that computer anxiety can affect the results of assessments of cognitive function as well as of mood ratings, and suggest that pen-based systems may have advantages over conventional computers in this respect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Computer use, computer training, and employment. Outcomes among people with spinal cord injuries.

Computer use and training may be of special benefit to people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) because computer technology may help lessen the impact of mobility limitations that are inherent with this disability. This article summarizes several findings from a 1994 survey conducted of New Jersey residents who suffered SCIs within the previous 10 years. The results indicate that, among people with SCIs, 46% currently use a computer in some capacity and 22% received computer training since the date of their injury. Perhaps surprisingly, both corresponding percentages are higher in the general population. People with SCIs appear to have less access to computers because most people learn how to use computers at work, and only a minority of people with SCIs work. The lower rate of use of computers among people with SCIs is unfortunate because the steep employment and earnings declines often experienced after an SCI are partially mitigated for those who have computer skills. The results suggest the importance of policies and programs aimed at increasing access to computers and computer training for people with severe disabilities.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Work stress in Japanese computer engineers: effects of computer work or bioeducational factors.

To examine whether computer work and bioeducational factors (age and school career) have significant effects on work stress in computer engineers in Japan, we administered a stress questionnaire to 764 male computer engineers and 211 male office workers in a computer-manufacturing factory in Tokyo. Four scales of perceived psychological stress at work examined were work overload, poor human relationships at work, unsuitable job, and competition-dismissal anxiety. The results of the three-way analysis of variance, in which age (20-29, 30-39, and 40-49 years), school career (high school and university graduates), and computer work (computer engineers and office workers) were three variation factors, indicated that: (1) there were no significant differences in all scores of work stress between computer engineers and office workers (P > 0.05); (2) scores for unsuitable job and poor human relationships at work were significantly higher in high school graduates than in university graduates (P < 0.05); and (3) there were significant age differences in scores for three scales of work stress (unsuitable job, competition-dismissal anxiety, and work overload: P < 0.001, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively). These findings suggest that computer work has no significant effect on perceived work stress in computer engineers; on the other hand, age and school career do have effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Educational Technology Network: a computer conferencing system dedicated to applications of computers in radiology practice, research, and education.

Educational Technology Network (ET Net) is a free, easy to use, on-line computer conferencing system organized and funded by the National Library of Medicine that is accessible via the SprintNet (SprintNet, Reston, VA) and Internet (Merit, Ann Arbor, MI) computer networks. It is dedicated to helping bring together, in a single continuously running electronic forum, developers and users of computer applications in the health sciences, including radiology. ET Net uses the Caucus computer conferencing software (Camber-Roth, Troy, NY) running on a microcomputer. This microcomputer is located in the National Library of Medicine's Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications and is directly connected to the SprintNet and the Internet networks. The advanced computer conferencing software of ET Net allows individuals who are separated in space and time to unite electronically to participate, at any time, in interactive discussions on applications of computers in radiology. A computer conferencing system such as ET Net allows radiologists to maintain contact with colleagues on a regular basis when they are not physically together. Topics of discussion on ET Net encompass all applications of computers in radiological practice, research, and education. ET Net has been in successful operation for 3 years and has a promising future aiding radiologists in the exchange of information pertaining to applications of computers in radiology.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2003

Differences between general computer attitudes and perceived computer attributes: development and validation of a scale.

The aim of this study was to develop a tool for measuring individuals' dispositions toward the use of computers in their work environment. The study reports the construction and validation of a general computer attitude and perceived computer attribute scale. Exploratory factor analytical evidence with a sample of 381 employees indicated a structure underpinned by two constructs, an attitudinal factor and a perceived computer attribute factor. The internal consistency estimates of reliability of scores were .81 for the attitudinal factor and .89 for the perceived computer attribute factor. Compared to the computer attitude subscale, scores on the perceived computer attribute subscale correlated higher with computer experience and professional computer use within the sample.

Adult↗