Prior exposure of graphic editing, video editing and animation software among new medical entrants at Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Introduction: The use of graphic related educational materials is common in modern medicaleducation.Objectives: This study assesses the familiarity of graphic editing software (GES), video editingsoftware (VES) and animation software (AS) among new medical entrants.Methods: Moodle based self-administered questionnaire was given to new medical students who joinedthe Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya in 2017.Results: There were 155 students in the batch where 66 (43%) were males. Thirty-nine percent (n=60)had used GES before entering to the faculty, among them 20% used GES at least once a month and55% reported to have at least an average skill level. Twenty-one percent (n=32) had used VES, amongthem 20% used it at least once and 24 % reported to have at least an average skill level. Ten percent(n=15) had used AS, among them 13% used it at least once and 11% reported to have at least an averageskill level. Students had used GES more than VES (P<0.01) and AS (P<0.01), and VES more than AS(P=0.01) before entering to the faculty.Conclusions: The majority of students had not used GES, VES and AS before entering to the facultyand it would be beneficial to teach this software to medical students. Self-assessment of skill level canunderestimate or overestimate the actual skill level of the student and can be identified as a limitationof the study