Issue: IeJSME 2021 15(1)

Authors: Swee Geok Lim, Vivian Jeng Tuk Fong.

ABSTRACT

Background: Physical restraint is any measure or technique that prohibits an individual’s body movement. Although physical restraint is one of the most common methods used to ensure patient safety in the intensive care units, its usage is an arguable practice. Involuntary immobilisation of a patient challenges patient’s rights while over usage of physical restraints can lead to possible harm to the patients. Critical care nurses especially should make accurate decisions regarding the use of physical restrains if they are to ensure patient safety.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of critical care nurses on usage of physical restrainer in a private hospital in Klang Valley.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, quantitative descriptive study using the Physical Restraint Questionnaire (PRQ) to collect data from 103 registered nurses through simple random sampling in the Critical Care Unit of a private hospital.

Results: A total of 103 critical care nurses participated in this study. The nurses had moderate level of knowledge of physical restraint usage, 43.96 ± 4.05 (36 to 53), positive attitude towards the use of physical restraint, 30.47 ± 2.96 (24 to 39) and good practices on usage of physical restrainers, 38.88 ± 2.73 (29 to 43).

Conclusion: Findings revealed that majority of critical nurses have moderate knowledge, positive attitude and satisfactory practices on usage of physical restraint. However, continuous updates on usage of physical restraint and its legal implications are highly recommended to ensure critical care nurses are better informed before deciding to use physical restraint on their patients.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practices, physical restraint, critical care nurses, acute care units.

Citation: IEJSME 2021 15 (1): 5-18

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.15.1.5

Authors: Kiranjeet Kaur, Puvessha Jegathisan, Cheryl Tham Sin Yi

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Within the recent years, crisis helpline organizations in Malaysia have been experiencing a surge in calls, and with the current worldwide anxiety caused by Covid-19, these call volumes are expected to rise. Therefore, volunteers who staff these helplines are continuously placing their Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) at risk due to the ongoing stressors involved in this service. However, it has been previously noted that the utilization of coping strategies may contribute to the enhancement of a volunteer’s ProQoL. Hence, this study focuses on examining the relationship between three types of coping strategies and the positive aspect of ProQoL, which is compassion satisfaction.

Methods
Through the use of a cross-sectional survey design, a total of 118 crisis helpline volunteers within the Klang Valley responded to a self-report online questionnaire consisting of the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5. Pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the relationship between the variables.

Results
Problem-solving coping and social support coping demonstrated a positive correlation with compassion satisfaction (r = .677, p < .001) (r = .261, p = .002), whereas avoidance coping demonstrated a negative correlation (r = -.572, p < .001). Correspondingly, problem-solving coping was revealed to be the best predictor towards compassion satisfaction through the regression analysis.

Conclusion
The findings of this study suggests that utilizing adaptive coping mechanisms may produce a more favourable outcome among crisis helpline volunteers as it correlates to a higher satisfaction level. Consequently, organizations would be able to positively benefit from a high satisfaction level within their volunteers as it would reinforce their motivation and efforts to continue engaging in this noble service.

Keywords: coping strategies, professional quality of life, compassion satisfaction, crisis helpline.

Citation: IEJSME 2021 15 (1): 19-27

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.15.1.19

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