Author: Admin

Initiatives for Medical Education Research at the International Medical University

Authors: Ramesh Chandra Jutti, Vishna Devi Nadarajah, Victor Lim.

ABSTRACT

Medical Education research is a relatively new field but one that is progressing rapidly worldwide. This article is an attempt to take stock of the current status of Medical Education research in International Medical University and to explore the various factors that have influenced its direction. It also shares some of the initiatives that have been instituted or intended to be instituted at our university.

Keywords: Medical education, research.

Citation: IeJSME 2008: 2 (Suppl 1): S19-S20

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.2.Suppl1.S19

Research On Bioactive Molecules: Achievements And The Way Forward

Authors: Wan-Loy Chu, Ammu Kutty Radhakrishnan.

ABSTRACT

Research on bioactive molecules is one of the thrust areas of research at the International Medical University (IMU). The bioactive molecules that have attracted the interest of IMU researchers include tocotrienol, astaxanthin, zingerone, apigenin, carrageenan and phycocyanin. There are also projects which focus on the screening of extracts from local plants such as Elephantopus mollis, Morinda citrifolia, Pereskia bleo, Euphorbia hirta, Zinger officinale, Mangifera indica and Nephelium lappaceum and algae such as Spirulina and Gracilaria. Characterisation of the toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis is another area of active research at IMU. The compounds and extracts from the various organisms are screened for anticancer, antioxidative, antiviral and immuno-modulating activity. There are also studies on the production of recombinant molecules, especially monoclonal antibodies for the detection of house dust mites, Salmonella typhi and Candida. The pool of faculty with diverse expertise and the active collaboration with public universities and institutions have enhanced the progress of bioactive research at IMU. With the current postgraduate and Bachelor of Medical Science (B. MSc.) programme and the introduction of new programmes in health sciences, there are good opportunities for training of students in the research on bioactive molecules. The future research direction should focus on the mechanisms of action of the bioactive molecules using new approaches such as ‘omic’ technologies and in silico modelling.

Keywords: Algae, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, bioactive compounds, recombinant molecules, tocotrienol.

Citation: IeJSME 2008: 2 (Suppl 1): S21-S24

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.2.Suppl1.S21

Clinical Research In The International Medical University

Author: Sivalingam Nalliah

ABSTRACT

Clinical research refers to any field of research involving human subjects. Clinicians as researchers are well placed in contributing to research as they have access to human subjects and are able to apply research results for better patient outcome. The need for clinician-scientists as a dedicated breed is hence implied. Clinical research has low priority in the agenda of academic clinicians for various reasons. Strategies to overcome such a malady include training in research methodology and creating a permissive environment for the conduct of research. The IMU has introduced several measures to enhance clinical research and has a vibrant postgraduate program. The BMedSc programme has seen an increase in MBBS students taking this degree. Research is part of the curriculum before the Semester 7 examinations. Clinicians have been increasingly seen to be involved in research. The enhancement of clinical research through encouraging formal clinical research training and development of the MBBS-PhD programs could further enhance clinical research at the IMU. Attention to logistic constraints, improvement in collaboration with the CRC-MOH and other agencies and the close working relationship with scientists will propel clinical research to higher levels.

Keywords: Clinical research, clinical methodology training, clinician-scientist, collaboration with scientists.

Citation: IeJSME 2008: 2 (Suppl 1): S25-S34

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.2.Suppl1.S25

Research Ethics, Governance, Oversight And Public Interest

Authors: Abu Bakar Suleiman, Joon-Wah Mak.

ABSTRACT

A better educated public has started to challenge the way decisions are made in medical research activities. Although Institutional and National Guidelines on Research are in place, there are fears that Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and funding agencies are only fairly active in scientific and ethical reviews of research proposals but not on oversight of projects after their initiation. These issues are integral to good research governance and researchers and custodians of research ethics must ensure that public interest is not compromised.

Medical progress is based on research including human experimentation carried out according to guiding principles as enunciated in the Declaration of Helsinki (2000), but the quality of compliance with the Declaration is an important issue.

Better choice and appropriate training of members of IRBs to improve the quality of decision making and governance processes are urgently needed. Competency in evaluation of proposals requires not only the appropriate scientific knowledge but also access to relevant preclinical and other data. Unfortunately, the completeness and quality of such data may not be adequate.

Public interest demands that injury to trial subjects in clinical trials is minimized if not avoided completely. Unfortunately this is not always possible with trials where novel biological modes of action are tested. A more robust evaluation mechanism for project approval may minimize but not completely avoid injury to subjects; thus insurance cover to provide care and compensation to subjects must be compulsory.

The decision to approve or reject a project must be based on the balance of potential risks and benefits, taking into consideration justifiable distributive risks to target communities and populations. Economic considerations should never be the primary focus, especially when there are real concerns that the migration of early phase clinical trials including vaccine trials to developing countries is based on the perceived less stringent ethical requirements and oversight there.

Keywords: Declaration of Helsinki, ethics, Institutional Review Boards, research governance, research oversight.

Citation: IeJSME 2008: 2 (Suppl 1): S35-S38

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.2.Suppl1.S35

The Levels Of Difficulty And Discrimination Indices In Type A Multiple Choice Questions Of Pre-clinical Semester 1 Multidisciplinary Summative Tests

Authors: Mitra N K, Nagaraja H S, Ponnudurai G, Judson J P.

ABSTRACT

Item analysis is the process of collecting, summarizing and using information from students’ responses to assess the quality of test items. Difficulty index (P) and Discrimination index (D) are two parameters which help evaluate the standard of MCQ questions used in an examination, with abnormal values indicating poor quality. In this study, 120 test items of 12 Type A MCQ tests of Foundation 1 multi-disciplinary summative assessment from M2 / 2003 to M2 / 2006 cohorts of International Medical University were selected and their P-scores in percent and D-scores were estimated using Microsoft Office Excel. The relationship between the item difficulty index and discrimination index for each test item was determined by Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS 11.5. Mean difficulty index scores of the individual summative tests were in the range of 64% to 89%. One-third of total test items crossed the difficulty index of 80% indicating that those items were easy for the students. Sixty seven percent of the test items showed acceptable (> 0.2) discrimination index. Forty five out of 120 test items showed excellent discrimination index. Discrimination index correlated poorly with difficulty index (r = -0.325). In conclusion, a consistent level of test difficulty and discrimination indices was maintained from 2003 to 2006 in all the twelve summative type A MCQ tests.

Keywords: Item analysis, difficulty index, discrimination index, type A MCQ, summative tests.

Citation: IeJSME 2009: 3 (1): 2-7

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.3.1.2

Task-Based Learning: Student’s Perception Of Their Skill In Participating In Small Group Discussions

Authors: Sharifah Sulaiha S A, Nurjahan M I, Nagarajah Lee.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Task-based learning (TBL) has been accepted as an effective tool in teaching and learning activities in most medical schools. Many studies have looked at competencies and learning outcomes essential for undergraduates. Among the essential competencies are interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in a group discussion which this study has focused on. The evidence supporting higher interpersonal skills is however limited because many relevant competencies are hard to measure and require long observational periods.

Objective: To determine students’ self-perceived value of TBL in enhancing their interpersonal skills during the clinical phase.

Material and Methods: All students’ (semesters 6-10) in the clinical school of International Medical University (IMU) were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study done in December 2007 utilising a self-administered questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. It assessed the students’ perception on TBL sessions conducted during their clinical attachments in the various disciplines. Mean-scores, standard deviations, and confidence interval were used.

Results: Response rate was 62%. The results indicated that students were favorable in their opinion on TBL as a suitable forum for active communication and participation in group discussion. The results also show that both male and female students’ have similar perception. As for the comparison according to semesters, this showed that students’ maturity does not influence their perception as well.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the study has shown positive students’ perception on the effect of TBL on acquired skills such as interpersonal communication. Our findings are consistent with many earlier studies which show students’ perception of the method of learning as important factor in the enhancement of their interpersonal skills which is fundamental to clinical practice. Further research is necessary; long-term and larger scale observational studies would undoubtedly be optimal to minimise response bias.

Keywords: Task-based learning, interpersonal skill, communication skill, medical school.

Citation: IeJSME 2009: 3 (1): 8-12

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.3.1.8

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