Analysis of evidence on techno-stress, factors, implications, and mitigation strategies in health students.

Authors

  • Gabriela Urrejola Contreras Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Unidad de Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Viña del Mar, Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8370-4550
  • Antonieta Herrera-Lillo Universidad Viña del Mar, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Carrera de Fonoaudiología, Viña del Mar, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4438-7473
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/edumed.657471
Keywords: Technostress, digital literacy, information and communication technologies, medical education

Abstract

Technology has been widely integrated into health sciences education, especially during the pandemic, fostering digital learning. However, studies reveal challenges such as limited technological skills, technostress, and difficulties in critical tasks. Factors such as age, gender, and motivation influence the use of mobile devices for learning. Technostress, with its negative effects on academic performance, requires strategies to mitigate its impact, particularly among health students. The objective was to analyze the available evidence on technostress, its triggers, and mitigation strategies. A literature search was conducted for publications between 2019 and 2024, available in English and Spanish. The databases consulted included Scopus, PubMed, EBSCO, and ERIC, along with an additional free search. A total of eight articles were included in this integrative review. The methodological assessment criteria suggested by the Equator Network were followed. Technostress, present among health sciences students, arises from excessive use and poor management of technology. Overload, technological complexity, and constant availability expectations intensify it, affecting well-being, academic performance, and mental health. To address it, strengthening computer self-efficacy, implementing institutional support, and adopting personal strategies such as digital disconnection, relaxation, and balanced technology use management are recommended. Proper strategies can turn this challenge into academic growth, and a comprehensive approach that includes institutional support, digital training, teacher adaptation, and healthy habits can mitigate the impact and promote student resilience.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...
Metrics
Views/Downloads
  • Abstract
    355
  • pdf (Español (España))
    314
  • pdf
    314

References

Lisperguer S, Calvo M, Urrejola G, et al. Clinical Reasoning Training based on the analysis of clinical case using a virtual environment. Educ Med. 2021, 594, 1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.edumed.2020.08.002

Urrejola G, Tiscornia C. Retroalimentación estudiantil sobre herramientas sincrónicas y asincrónicas empleadas en ciencias de la salud en la pandemia por COVID-19. FEM. 2022, 25(1), 39. http://dx.doi.org/10.33588/fem.251.1168

Zhao Y, Pinto A, Sánchez M. Digital competence in higher education research: A systematic literature review. Computers & Education. 2021, 168, 104212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104212

Le C, Le L, Le L. Development and validation of digital competence assessment scale for health professions students (DigiCAS-HPS) during post- COVID-19 new normal era. Preprints.org. 2023, http://dx.doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.0931.v1

Cham K, Edwards M, Kruesi L, et al. Digital preferences and perceptions of students in health professional courses at a leading Australian university: A baseline for improving digital skills and competencies in health graduates. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 2022, 38(1):69–86.http://dx.doi.org/10.14742/ajet.6622

Mehrvarz M, Heidari E, Farrokhnia M, et al. The mediating role of digital informal learning in the relationship between student’s digital competence and their academic performance. Computers & Education. 2021, 167.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104184

Kader M, Abd A, Zaki SM, et al. The effect of technostress on online learning behaviour among undergraduates. Malays J Learn Instr. 2022, 19(1), 183–211.http://dx.doi.org/10.32890/mjli2022.19.1.7

Pemilia H, Hermawan Y, Widyaningrum B. Student Perceptions Regarding E-Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Level of Technostress. Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani. 2023, 3(9), 2039–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v3i9.6058

Qi C. A double-edgedsword? Exploring the impact of students’ academic usage of mobile devices on technostress and academic performance. Behaviour & Information Technology. 2019, 38(12), 1337–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2019.1585476

Romero J, Aznar I, Hinojo F. Models of good teaching practices for mobile learning in higher education. Palgrave Commun. 2020, 6(80).https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-0468-6

Suria R. Utilización de las tecnologías, tecnoestrés, y su influencia en el rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios. Anuario de psicologia/The UB Journal of psychology. 2023, 53(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1344/ANPSIC2023.53/2.4

Ponce J, Hernández R, Chiri P. El tecnoestrés en el rendimiento académico en estudiantes Technostress on academic performance in students Techno stress no desempenho acadêmico em estudantes. Horizontes Revista Investigación Ciencias Educación. 2023, 7(28), 852–61. https://doi.org/10.33996/revistahorizontes.v7i28.559

Page M, McKenzie J, Bossuyt P, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Vandenbroucke JP, Von E, Altman E, et al. Mejorar la comunicación de estudios observacionales en epidemiología (STROBE): explicación y elaboración. Gac Sanit. 2009, 23(2), 158e1–28. Disponible en: http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-91112009000200015&lng=es.

Khlaif Z, Sanmugam M, Hattab M, et al. Mobile technology features and technostress in mandatory online teaching during the COVID-19 crisis. Heliyon. 2023, 10(9), e19069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19069

Madaan N, Wundavalli L, Satapathy S. Techno stress among medical freshmen: An exploratory study. J Edu Health Promot. 2020, 9(1):178. 10.4103/jehp.jehp_242_19

Ergodan A, Ozturk M, Erdogan P, et al. Technostress in Medical Students During Pandemic-Prompted Distance Education: Adaptation of Technostress Scale Based on Person-Environment Misfit Theory. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 2022, 21(2), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16635118.v1

Mushtaque I, Awais E, Yazdan M, et al. Technostress and medical students’ intention to use online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan: The moderating effect of computer self-efficacy. Cogent Education. 2022, 9(1), 2102118. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2102118

Alvarez A, Del Aguila S, Yáñez J, et al. Influence of Technostress on Academic Performance of University Medicine Students in Peru during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability. 2021, 13(16), 8949. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168949

Khlaif Z, Sanmugam M, Hattab M, et al. Mobile technology features and technostress in mandatory online teaching during the COVID-19 crisis. Heliyon. 2023, 9(8), e19069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19069

Huanacuni R. Tecnoestrés y rendimiento académico en estudiantes de Enfermería en tiempos de COVID-19. Investigación E Innovación: Revista Científica De Enfermería, 2021, 1(2), 21–7. https://doi.org/10.33326/27905543.2021.2.1218

Torales J, Torres A, Di Giuseppe M, et al. Technostress, anxiety, and depression among university students: A report from Paraguay. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2022, 68(5), 1063–70.10.1177/00207640221099416

Kasemy Z, Sharif A, Barakat A, et al. Technostress Creators and Outcomes Among Egyptian Medical Staff and Students: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study of Remote Working Environment During COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Public Health. 2022, 26(10), 796321. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.796321

Garg N, Shivangi V, Palframan J. Positive reframing as a mediator between gratitude and technostress amongst Indian students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kybernetes. 2022, 52(8), 2810–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-12-2021-1250

Wang X, Tan SC, Li L. Technostress in university students’ technology-enhanced learning: An investigation from multidimensional person-environment misfit. Computers in Human Behavior. 2020, 105(106208). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.106208

Lin Y, Yu Z. An integrated bibliometric analysis and systematic review modelling students’ technostress in higher education. Behaviour & Information Technology. 2024, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2024.2332458

Yunita S, Susilawati S, Riniawati R, et al. Exploring college students’ technostress phenomenon in using ed-tech. Journal of Research in Instructional. 2023, 3(2), 242–57.https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v3i2.280

Maipita I, Rahman D, Husrizal S, et al. TPACK, Organizational Support, and Technostress in Explaining Teacher Performance During Fully Online Learning. Journal of information technology education: research. 2023, 22, 41–70. https://doi.org/10.28945/5069

Quispe J, Quispe U, Farias C, et al. Tecnoestrés en el desgaste académico de estudiantes universitarios del Perú. Areté Rev Digit Dr Educ. 2024, 10(19), 165–81. https://doi.org/10.55560/arete.2024.19.10.9

Kwaah CY, Adu-Yeboah C, Amuah E, et al. Exploring preservice teachers’ digital skills, stress, and coping strategies during online lessons amid covid-19 pandemic in Ghana. Cogent Education. 2022, 9(1), 2107292. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2107292

Wang Q, Zhao G, Zeng J. The effects of facilitating conditions, digital competence, and technostress on higher education students’ digital informal learning: A moderated mediation examination. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 2024, 40(4):1–18. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.9324

Vallo H, Master C, Pålsson P. et al. Designing for digital transformation of residency education – a post-pandemic pedagogical response. BMC Med Educ. 2023, 23, 421. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04390-2

Iancu A, Kemp M, Alam H. Unmuting medical students’ education: utilizing telemedicine during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. J Med Internet Res. 2020, 22 (7), e19667. https://doi.org/10.2196/19667

Karimi H, Khawaja S. Faculty Development Interventions in Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Education Sciences. 2025, 15(2), 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020176

Published
02-06-2025
How to Cite
Urrejola Contreras, G., & Herrera-Lillo, A. (2025). Analysis of evidence on techno-stress, factors, implications, and mitigation strategies in health students. Spanish Journal of Medical Education, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.6018/edumed.657471