Authors: Kian Hock Tan, Rachel Ley Tan, Jolene Sze Tien Shu, Han Yao Foong, Siok Joan Siek, Kwee Choy Koh, Cheong Lieng Teng.

ABSTRACT

Background: Social media is a common channel for communication, information and education. However, it is also a potential forum where lapses of professionalism may occur. In this study we aimed to elicit medical students’ perspective on social media practices and their perceived implications of social media posts.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of Semesters 1 and 9 medical students from the International Medical University (IMU). A score was created consisting of the sum of the Likert scale in the 10-item social media practices questionnaire. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test, while continuous variables that were not normally distributed were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: Out of 118 respondents (61% females), 54.2% of them recalled previous instructions regarding the use of social media and 55.1% of them were familiar with the IMU Social Media Guidelines. In general, respondents showed high level of awareness of inappropriate social medial practices, with statistically better awareness among Semester 1 students. Students who reported familiarity with IMU Social Media Guidelines were more aware of inappropriate social media practices. Most respondents were aware of the potential adverse impact of social media posts.

Conclusion: IMU students who participated in our survey generally had a good grasp of what constitutes inappropriate behaviour on social media and its potential future impact. Lower level of awareness of inappropriate social media practices among the Semester 9 students points to the need for periodic reminders of IMU Social Media Guidelines.

Keywords: Medical students, social media, professionalism and medical ethics.

Citation: IEJSME 2021 15 (1): 28-39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.15.1.28

Authors: Swee Geok Lim, Ching Nguk Ngieng, Xie Yen Tan.

ABSTRACT
Background: End of life (EOL) care is a holistic approach for patients and their families, that involves physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs. There are approximately 80,000 Malaysians requiring EOL care annually but only 2,000 patients have access to the service. Despite an increasing demand for EOL care in Malaysia, many healthcare professionals are still unfamiliar and inadequately trained in dealing with the EOL issue. The purpose of study is to evaluate the Diploma in Nursing students’ level of knowledge and attitude towards EOL care.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study on 127 nursing students from a private nursing college in Penang, through simple random sampling was conducted. The Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing was used to determine the knowledge of EOL care, while Frommelt Attitude Towards Care of Dying Patients-Form B, was used to measure attitude towards EOL care.

Result: Overall, the participants had poor knowledge towards EOL care with mean overall score of 8.18 ± 2.14. The mean overall score for attitude towards EOL care was 117.76 ± 11.12, implying a positive attitude towards EOL care. There was a significant difference in the level of knowledge (t = 5.250, p < 0.001) and attitude (t = 6.184, p < 0.001) according to the years of study.

Conclusion: The student nurses had poor level of knowledge on EOL but positive attitude towards EOL care. Adding an additional module on EOL alone is inadequate; instead emphasis on its relevancy and understanding on how it can be used to improve patient care is of far more importance.

Citation: IEJSME 2020 14 (3): 7-15

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.14.3.7

Authors: Kok Wei Poh, Pei Wen Tan, Ji Yin Wong, Cheng Huong Ngan, Yin Jie Ng, Raymund Dass, Tiang Koi Ng.

ABSTRACT
Background
Managing potential COVID-19 patients is challenging when resources were limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive parameters and management strategy for potential COVID-19 cases who are without contact or travelling history.

Methods
Retrospective study of potential COVID-19 patients without direct contact or travelling history, admitted to Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban. Patients were riskstratified to either low or medium risk and admitted to designated wards, respectively. They were categorised to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI); influenzalike illness (ILI); dengue fever or viral fever like (DVF); or none. Clinical, laboratory and radiological variables were evaluated for predictive value. Positive cases were isolated to negative pressure isolation rooms and the neighbouring patients underwent surveillance.

Results
812 patients were studied, with 478 fulfilled SARI, ILI, and DVF. 18 (2.2%) of them were COVID-19 positive, and all patients in “none” group were negative. Hypoxia without dyspnoea and medium risk criteria were significant in predicting COVID-19 with p<0.01 (OR 7.18; 95% CI 2.70, 19.13) and p<0.01 (OR 35.77; 95% CI 11.25, 113.71) respectively. Absolute lymphocyte count showed no predictive value (P=0.88 95% CI -0.78, 0.90). Absolute neutrophil count ≥10 x10^9/L cells (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01, 0.87) helped to exclude COVID-19. Chest radiograph of 16 (88.9%) COVID-19 patients showed heterogeneous Ill-defined opacities. No nosocomial transmission occurred during this study period.

Conclusion / Implication
Initial attention to predictive parameter, riskstratification, clinical grouping strategy, and proper ward management helps in containment of COVID-19 and resources management without risk of nosocomial transmission.

Citation: IEJSME 2020 14 (3): 16-29

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.14.3.16

Authors: Chang Angelna, Yung Wei Lai, Swee Geok Lim

ABSTRACT

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is defined as the comprehension, use and the management of one’s emotions in a positive manner to reduce stress, communicate efficiently, empathise with others, overcome challenges, and resolve conflicts. EI is important among nurses as it influences their decision making abilities, clinical judgment, and well-being that directly affect the quality of patient care and outcome.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the EI level and its association with demographic variables among nurses in a private hospital in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 130 nurses at one of the private hospitals in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, through simple random sampling. Questionnaire consists of Part A (demographic data) and Part B (Wong and Law’s Emotional Intelligence scale (WLEIS), self-assessment tool that consists of 16 items on four components inclusive of self-emotions appraisal (SEA), regulation of emotion (ROE), use of emotion (UOE), and other’s emotion appraisal (OEA) on a set of 7-Likert scale).

Results: Findings showed that 63.1% (n = 82) scored high EI. Nurses’ age and years of nursing experience are significantly associated with their level of EI. No association is found on the nurses’ level of EI with their gender, ethnicity, highest nursing education level, marital status, and current work setting. The null hypothesis was rejected.

Conclusion: Findings showed that most of the nurses have high EI. There is a significant association between the level of EI and demographic variables such as age and years of nursing experience.

Citation: IEJSME 2020 14 (3): 30-44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.14.3.30