Exploring Digital Skills Among Pharmacy Students in Vocational Institutions: Evidence from Jiangsu, China

Siyun Dong; Chananporn  Areekul; Kusuma  Yamgate

Authors

Siyun Dong Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
Chananporn Areekul Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
Kusuma Yamgate Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand

Keywords:

Digital literacy; Pharmacy education; Vocational colleges; DigComp framework; China

Abstract

This study investigates the digital literacy of 306 pharmacy students from a vocational college in Jiangsu Province, China, using a mixed-methods design based on the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp). Five core dimensions—information management literacy, technical proficiency, digital security awareness, digital communication and collaboration, and content creation and knowledge building—were assessed through a structured questionnaire and thematic analysis. The findings reveal a moderate overall level of digital competence (M=3.03), with relatively strong performance in technical proficiency and communication, but notable deficiencies in digital security and content creation. Significant disparities were observed across academic year, geographic background, and prior training experience, highlighting uneven development of digital literacy. Qualitative results further indicate insufficient access to pharmacy-specific digital tools and limited curriculum integration. The study concludes by recommending the embedding of digital literacy into core pharmacy courses, enhanced faculty development, and the adoption of authentic, context-driven digital learning tasks. These insights provide empirical evidence and practical implications for advancing the digital transformation of vocational pharmacy education in China.

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