Author: Pei Kuan Lai

Applying the learning theories to medical education: A commentary

Authors: Sivalingam Nalliah, Nazimah Idris.

ABSTRACT

Medical education of today continues to evolve to meet the challenges of the stakeholders. Medical professionals today are expected to play multiple roles besides being experts. Thus, the curriculum has to be developed in a manner that facilitates learners to achieve the intended goal of becoming a medical professional with multiple competencies. The understanding of learning theories will be helpful in designing and delivering the curriculum to meet the demands of producing a medical professional who would meet the CanMEDS model. This commentary explores and reflects on the learning theories of behaviorism, cognitivism and constructivism as they have evolved over time and the application of these learning theories in medical education, particularly in the context of medical education in Malaysia. The authors are convinced that these three theories are not mutually exclusive but should be operationalized contextually and throughout the different stages of learning in the MBBS curriculum. Understanding these theories and their application will enhance the learning experience of students.

Keywords: learning theories, behaviourism, cognitivism, constructivism, medical education.

Citation: IeJSME 2014 8(1): 50-57

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.8.1.50

Facilitation of web-based internet PBL: What is an adequate group size?

Authors: Masayuki Niwa, Satoshi Yoshida, Kazuhiro Takamizawa, Satoshi Nagaoka, Nobumitsu Kawakubo, Yuzo Takahashi, Yasuyuki Suzuki.

ABSTRACT

Background: Development in internet technology enables e-learning at the higher education level. We have developed the Internet PBL-Tutorial System/Rakuichi that allows multi-directional communication among participants with web-based bulletin boards. Although this system has been successful in medical education at the undergraduate level, we sought to encourage “readonly members” to participate more fully in the program.

Methods: To this end, we compared the posting frequency among three strategies: (1) students and tutors had an off-site meeting to promote face-to-face communication during the course, (2) several classes were allowed to watch the discussion in other classes in the second half of the course, (3) three classes (5 – 6 students each) in one topic were combined into one class (16 students) in the second half.

Results: No meaningful effects were observed for strategies (1) or (2). However, the posting frequency increased 50 % for strategy (3).

Conclusion: Facilitation of communication among participants was achieved by increasing the number of student participants. We predicted that an optimal number of students in each class in internet-based PBL would be ~20 people.

Keywords: Web-based, PBL-tutorial, master course, facilitation, education method, group size.

Citation: IeJSME 2014 8(2): 4-11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.8.2.4

Phylogenetic analysis and identification of Sarcocystis spp. found in rodents in Peninsular Malaysia

Authors: Jenn Haw Fong, Kenny Voon, Stephen Ambu, Joon Wah Mak.

ABSTRACT

Background: The tissue specimens used for extraction of DNA in this study were from rodents trapped in four states in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Kedah, Kelantan, Selangor and Johor.

Methods: Histological sections of these rodent muscle tissues stained with hematoxylin and eosin showed infection with Sarcocystis spp. Based on these results, the current study was carried out to determine the phylogenetic relationship among the identified Sarcocystis spp. in these rodents. The formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) rodent muscle blocks were subjected to DNA extraction and followed with semi nested PCR targeting 5’ and 3’ regions of 18S rRNA of Sarcocystis spp.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis showed two distinct groups of Sarcocystis spp. among the rodents in Peninsular Malaysia. Most of the identified Sarcocystis spp. were genetically closely related to Sarcocystis rodentifelis and Sarcocystis muris and were also observed to be genetically closely related to Sarcocystis sp. ex Columba livia and Sarcocystis sp. cyst type I ex Anser albifrons.

Conclusion: Further classification to confirm these Sarcocystis spp. was not possible as only partial sequences of 18S rRNA was available and this was insufficient for optimal differentiation.

Keywords: Sarcocystis, rodents.

Citation: IeJSME 2014 8(2): 12-17

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.8.2.12

An intestinal parasitological survey among the Jehai Orang Aslis (aborigines) of the Temenggor forest, Perak state, Malaysia

Authors: Yaya Liliana Hanapian, Joon Wah Mak, Paul Chieh Yee Chen.

ABSTRACT

Background: In Malaysia, the most common soil-transmitted helminth infections are A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms. However, as there have been no extensive surveys on these infections, it is difficult to estimate with certainty the current overall incidence of infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among the Malaysian population including the Orang Aslis.

Materials and Methods: A study was conducted to determine the infection rate of soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa among the Jehai Orang Aslis (Aborigines). The study was conducted between December 2005 and August 2006, in four Jehai villages of Perak State, Malaysia. A total of 175 stool samples was collected and personal identification such as name, age, household identification, and date of collection were recorded on the spot during collection. Faecal smears were stained with Trichrome for protozoa cysts and trophozoites and the modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast method for the oocyst of Cryptosporidium and Isospora. Wet mounts with tincture of iodine of both stool samples (10% formalin and PVA) were also examined to detect cysts, ova and larva of intestinal helminths.

Results: The prevalence rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm among the Jehai were 70.8%, 24.0%, and 10.9% respectively. The prevalence of Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis hominis, and microsporidium was 40.6%, 33.7%, 25.7%, 91.4%, and 27.4% respectively. The difference in prevalence rates among the different age-groups and sex were found not significant. Children aged 0-9 years old had the highest prevalence rate of intestinal parasites and only 2 (1.1%) were free of any intestinal parasites.

Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections were therefore still common among these people. Children aged 0-9 years old were found to have the highest infection rate of all the intestinal parasites examined. Further investigations are needed to determine more specific transmission of these infections, so that an attempt to control these infections can be made.

Keywords: Soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa, intestinal parasitic infections, Orang Asli.

Citation: IeJSME 2014 8(2): 18-23

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.8.2.18

The pH of very dilute solutions of weak acids – a calculation involving the application of numerical skills to the solution of a cubic equation

Author: Peter Michael Barling

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the solution to a calculation of the pH of a very dilute solution of a weak acid, taking into account the effect of the hydroxonium ions generated from the ionization of the acid on the ionization of water, also a very weak acid. To be solved successfully, this calculation involves the concepts of conservation of charge, pH, equilibria and the application of the general solution to a cubic equation. Such an exercise requires the application of skills in algebra, and can provide a core of understanding that can prepare advanced students for many different sorts of calculations that represent real-life problems in the chemical sciences. A programme is presented in C++ which enables the work of students to be individualized so that each student in a class can work through a slightly different pH calculation, in such a way that a class supervisor can quickly check each student’s result for accuracy. This exercise is presented as a potential means of enabling students to undertake and master similar types of calculations involving the application of complex algebra to problems related to equilibria and solution dynamics.

Keywords: pH, weak acid, conservation of charge, equilibria, cubic equation.

Citation: IeJSME 2014 8(2): 24-29

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.8.2.24

Tuberous sclerosis with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and renal angiomyolipomas

Authors: Hui Min Chong, Shien Yee Ng.

ABSTRACT

The case report describes the presentation of a 19-year old female with tuberous sclerosis who presented with progressive dyspnoea over 2 days. Chest radiograph revealed bilateral pneumothorax. Computed tomography showed features of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. The coexistence of both conditions may cause devastating morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Tuberous sclerosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, pneumothorax.

Citation: IeJSME 2014 8(2): 30-34

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.8.2.30

Interprofessional learning in nursing – a review

Authors: Mini Rani Mary Beth, Pek Hong Lim, Chitra Rathina Pandi.

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional learning (IPL) promotes collaboration among healthcare professionals in providing quality healthcare. For the IPL to have a positive influence on inter-professional collaboration, opportunities must be made available for the healthcare students to learn together. Attitudinal factors have been identified as the major factor hindering the implementation of IPL. In Malaysia, little is known about attitudes of healthcare students towards IPL. Students from different health disciplines often have poor conception of each other’s roles as a member of the healthcare team. IPL increases this knowledge and gives students an understanding of the interpersonal skills needed for liaison and communication. Students from different disciplines who learn together develop interpersonal and teamwork skills, and gain knowledge of how other professionals work. IPL has been shown to create teams that work together better and improve patient experience. In general, IPL aims to improve patient safety, enhance patient satisfaction, and increase levels of innovation in patient care, and increase staff motivation, well-being and retention. There has been increasing emphasis on the important role that interprofessional education (IPE) must play in educating and developing present and future healthcare professionals. This review aims to examine how learning outcomes are articulated in the field of IPE and includes the benefits, importance, ethical concepts and application of IPL in nursing.

Keywords: Interprofessional learning, Nursing education, experiential learning, ethical competency.

Citation: IeJSME 2015 9(1): 9-20

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.9.1.9

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