HIT100: Information Technology — Course OmpathStudy

HIT100: Information Technology — Course Syllabus Full course overview for HIT100 Information Technology, University of Nairobi, BDS Year 1. Covers the Windows environment, word processing, the internet and web browsing, search engines, medical informatics, and the ethics of IT in medicine. Course Overview HIT100: Information Technology is a foundation course offered to Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Year 1 students at the University of Nairobi. The course equips students with the practical computer skills they need to succeed in modern medical and dental practice — from managing files on a Windows computer, to searching the medical literature and accessing full-text e-books and journals online. The course is organised around the following core themes: 1. Introduction to the Windows Environment Folders and files — how data is organised and stored on a computer; creating, renaming, moving, copying and deleting files and folders. Windows navigation — using the desktop, Start menu, Taskbar, File Explorer and dialog boxes to manage your work. Good file-management habits that keep your coursework and patient data organised. 2. Introduction to Word Processing Creating, editing, saving, printing and formatting documents using a word processor such as Microsoft Word. Formatting text (fonts, sizes, colours, alignment), formatting paragraphs and pages, and working with tables. Producing professional reports, assignments and letters. 3. Basic Elements of Web Browsing and Mailing Systems Using a web browser to navigate the World Wide Web: addresses (URLs), hyperlinks, tabs, bookmarks and browser settings. Using electronic mail: composing, sending, receiving and managing email messages and attachments. 4. Introduction to Search Engines and Directories How search engines and search directories work, and the difference between them. Building effective search strategies: keywords, operators, field searching and domain searching. Locating reliable, relevant information quickly. 5. Access to Medical Journals and Articles Accessing medical journals, journal articles, book information and full-text medical e-books online. Medline via PubMed — the biomedical literature database that is the backbone of evidence-based practice; how to search it and retrieve citations and abstracts. 6. Health Informatics The application of information technology to health care and biomedical research. Ethical orientation in e-health — the responsible use of electronic health information. Accessing medical information from the internet safely and ethically. 7. Introduction to Data Analysis Software An introduction to statistical software packages (e.g. SPSS and Excel) used for entering, summarising and analysing data. Running descriptive statistics, comparing groups, and producing charts and graphs. 8. Ethics of IT Utilisation in Medicine The professional, legal and ethical obligations that arise when information technology is used in health care. Issues of confidentiality and patient privacy , data security, informed consent, and the reliability of online health information. Why This Course Matters Information technology is now central to the practice of medicine and dentistry — from electronic patient records and digital imaging, to online journals and telemedicine. By the end of HIT100, students should be able to manage computer files confidently, produce well-formatted documents, use the internet to find and evaluate medical information, and understand the ethical framework that governs the use of health information technology.