Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in Malaysia. This study aims to explore the treatment experiences of patients with recurrent coronary heart disease during hospital admission and after discharge. This research also attempts to understand patients’ adherence to the prescribed treatment. Method: The main sample for this study includes inpatients and outpatients with recurrent CHD who have undergone second- ary prevention treatment at certain tertiary hospitals which were purposively sampled. The transcripts of one-to-one semi-structured interviews (N=22) were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: Three themes emerged in the analysis of treatment adherence among multi-ethnic patients with CHD: (i) doctor-pa- tient relationships; (ii) information-seeking behaviour; and (iii) psychosocial beliefs. Other factors that influence treat- ment adherence include patients’ cultural, religious, or spiritual beliefs-based complementary alternative medicines (CAM), if these factors were inadequately addressed by their respective heath professional. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that for future cardiac rehabilitation program development, health professionals must not only focus on the patient’s care improvement but must also be knowledgeable on the patient’s preferred alternative treatment.
Due to cost containment considerations, it is common to have medical schools being
located in buildings or campuses built for some other purposes. These buildings are converted into
medical schools which often compromising the functional architectural aspects. Objectives: The
paper examines, explores and proposes an architectural concept of a purpose-built medical school. The
architectural design proposed is sensitive to the values and norms of many schools around the globe.
Methods: An Internet search and personal communication were conducted, focusing on the concepts
of the functionality of medical school. It emphasises on general design of the main building, keeping
in mind the various kinds of teaching, learning and assessment activities. We examined lecture hall,
pre-clinical laboratory, skill laboratory, general facilities of Objective Structured Practical Examination
(OSPE) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Results: We present hypothetical
structural designs based on built-functions concepts. For example, for the better vision of students
around a demonstration table, an inclined floor surface is proposed. The concept is as illustrated by
anatomy dissection area built inclined upward from the cadaver table. It inevitably provides a better
visual access to the students around the table. Other teaching and learning areas are also illustrated
wherever appropriate in the text. Conclusion: The paper is hypothetical and explores innovative
structural designs of modern medical schools. While most are built to meet the demands of current
technology, it cannot however completely replace face-to-face teaching and learning processes.
Research in architectural designs of education buildings and facilities may be further developed into a
new research niche of medical education.