Algorithmic literacy in medical students : results of a knowledge test conducted in Germany

Abstract

The impact of algorithms on everyday life is ever increasing. Medicine and public health are not excluded from this development – algorithms in medicine do not only challenge, change and inform research (methods) but also clinical situations. Given this development, questions arise concerning the competency level of prospective physicians, thus medical students, on algorithm related topics. This paper, based on a master's thesis in library and information science written at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, gives an insight into this topic by presenting and analysing the results of a knowledge test conducted among medical students in Germany.