Digital Data Security Awareness: A Study with Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Technological developments lead to changes in the field of health as well as in many areas. Although these developments bring many advantages, there are also some potential risks. Increments in digital healthcare and digitally stored information raise concerns about data security. It is vital for pharmacists and pharmacy students to be aware of data security, considering patient rights and ethical principles. This study investigates the digital data security awareness of pharmacy students and the effects of some variables on it. In this context, a questionnaire was applied to pharmacy students, including the “Digital Data Security Awareness Scale” developed by Yılmaz, Şahin, & Akbulut (2015). Firstly, exploratory factor analysis was performed on the data obtained, and then the effects of some variables on digital data security awareness were investigated via t-test and analysis of variance. Digital data security awareness is found to be higher in those who have an antivirus program on their smartphones. Additionally, it was determined that the mean of the responses given by the students to the statements on the scale was around three. As a result, the awareness of pharmacy students on this issue needs to be improved.