Displaying publications 121 - 140 of 234 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Perception of hypertension management by patients and doctors in Asia: potential to improve blood pressure control
    Abdul Rahman AR, Wang JG, Kwong GM, Morales DD, Sritara P, Sukmawan R, et al.
    Asia Pac Fam Med, 2015;14(1):2.
    PMID: 25729324 DOI: 10.1186/s12930-015-0018-3
    BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the world's most common health conditions and is a leading risk factor for mortality. Although blood pressure can be modified, there is a large proportion of patients whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled. The aim of this study, termed Edvantage 360°, was to gain a deeper understanding of hypertension management in Asia from the perspective of patients and doctors, and to propose strategies to improve blood pressure control.
    METHODS: Conducted in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, Edvantage 360° was a mixed-methods observational study that used both qualitative and quantitative elements: qualitative interviews and focus groups with patients (N = 110), quantitative interviews with patients (N = 709), and qualitative interviews with doctors (N = 85).
    RESULTS: This study found that, although there is good understanding of the causes and consequences of hypertension among Asian patients, there is a lack of urgency to control blood pressure. Doctors and patients have different expectations of each other and a divergent view on what constitutes successful hypertension management. We also identified a fundamental gap between the beliefs of doctors and patients as to who should be most responsible for the patients' hypertension management. In addition, because patients find it difficult to comply with lifestyle modifications (often because of a decreased understanding of the changes required), adherence to medication regimens may be less of a limiting factor than doctors believe.
    CONCLUSIONS: Doctors may provide better care by aligning with their patients on a common understanding of successful hypertension management. Doctors may also find it helpful to provide a more personalized explanation of any needed lifestyle modifications. The willingness of the doctor to adjust their patient interaction style to form a 'doctor-patient team' is important. In addition, we recommend that doctors should not attribute ineffectiveness of the treatment plan to patient non-adherence to medications, but rather adjust the medication regimen as needed.
    KEYWORDS: Attitude to health; Hong Kong; Hypertension; Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Qualitative research; South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  2. Fulltext Applying theory of planned behavior to predict exercise maintenance in sarcopenic elderly
    Ahmad MH, Shahar S, Teng NI, Manaf ZA, Sakian NI, Omar B
    Clin Interv Aging, 2014;9:1551-61.
    PMID: 25258524 DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S60462
    This study aimed to determine the factors associated with exercise behavior based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) among the sarcopenic elderly people in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. A total of 65 subjects with mean ages of 67.5±5.2 (men) and 66.1±5.1 (women) years participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1) exercise group (n=34; 25 men, nine women); and 2) the control group (n=31; 22 men, nine women). Structural equation modeling, based on TPB components, was applied to determine specific factors that most contribute to and predict actual behavior toward exercise. Based on the TPB's model, attitude (β=0.60) and perceived behavioral control (β=0.24) were the major predictors of intention to exercise among men at the baseline. Among women, the subjective norm (β=0.82) was the major predictor of intention to perform the exercise at the baseline. After 12 weeks, attitude (men's, β=0.68; women's, β=0.24) and subjective norm (men's, β=0.12; women's, β=0.87) were the predictors of the intention to perform the exercise. "Feels healthier with exercise" was the specific factor to improve the intention to perform and to maintain exercise behavior in men (β=0.36) and women (β=0.49). "Not motivated to perform exercise" was the main barrier among men's intention to exercise. The intention to perform the exercise was able to predict actual behavior regarding exercise at the baseline and at 12 weeks of an intervention program. As a conclusion, TPB is a useful model to determine and to predict maintenance of exercise in the sarcopenic elderly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  3. Job satisfaction of Malaysian registered nurses: a qualitative study
    Atefi N, Abdullah KL, Wong LP
    Nurs Crit Care, 2016 Jan;21(1):8-17.
    PMID: 25270664 DOI: 10.1111/nicc.12100
    BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is an important factor in health care settings. Strong empirical evidence supports a causal relationship between job satisfaction, patient safety and quality of care. However, there have not been any studies exploring the job satisfaction of Malaysian nurses.

    AIM: The main purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the factors related to feelings of job satisfaction as well as job dissatisfaction experienced by registered nurses in Malaysia.

    METHOD: A convenient sample of 46 Malaysian nurses recruited from a large hospital (number of beds = 895) participated in the study. A total of seven focus group discussions were conducted with nurses from surgical, medical and critical care wards. A semi-structured interview guide was used to facilitate the interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and checked. The transcripts were used as data and were analysed using a thematic approach.

    FINDING: The study identified three main themes that influenced job satisfaction: (1) nurses' personal values and beliefs; (2) work environment factors and (3) motivation factors. Concerning the nurses' personal values and beliefs, the ability to help people made the nurses felt honoured and happy, which indirectly contributed to job satisfaction. For work environment factors, team cohesion, benefit and reward, working conditions play an important role in the nurses' job satisfaction. Motivation factors, namely, professional development and clinical autonomy contributed to job satisfaction.

    CONCLUSION: It is important for nurse leaders to provide more rewards, comfortable work environments and to understand issues that affect nurses' job satisfaction.

    RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Our findings highlight the importance of factors that can improve nurses' job satisfaction. The study provides basic information for hospital administrators in planning effective and efficient policies to improve nursing job satisfaction in order to increase the quality of patient care and decrease nursing turnover.

    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  4. Challenges in volunteering from cancer care volunteers perspectives
    Kamaludin KM, Muhammad M, Wahat NW, Ibrahim R
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(8):4795-800.
    PMID: 24083746
    The involvement of non-government organizations (NGOs) and support groups has helped strengthen public health services in addressing cancer care burden. Owing to the contribution of volunteers in cancer care, this article documents a qualitative study that examined challenges in attracting and retaining cancer care volunteers as part of the effort to develop a volunteer recruitment model. Data were collected through three focus group discussions involving 19 cancer support group members in Malaysia. Findings of the study revealed that mobility and locality appeared to be significant in Malaysian context, while the need for financial support and time flexibility are challenges faced by cancer support groups to attract and retain volunteers. The findings imply that cancer care initiatives can benefit from more local volunteers but at the same time these volunteers require flexibility and financial support to sustain their engagement.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  5. 'They treat you like you are not a human being': maltreatment during labour and delivery in rural northern Ghana
    Moyer CA, Adongo PB, Aborigo RA, Hodgson A, Engmann CM
    Midwifery, 2014 Feb;30(2):262-8.
    PMID: 23790959 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2013.05.006
    to explore community and health-care provider attitudes towards maltreatment during delivery in rural northern Ghana, and compare findings against The White Ribbon Alliance's seven fundamental rights of childbearing women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  6. Communication competencies of oncology nurses in Malaysia
    Maskor NA, Krauss SE, Muhamad M, Nik Mahmood NH
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(1):153-8.
    PMID: 23534716
    This paper reports on part of a large study to identify competencies of oncology nurses in Malaysia. It focuses on oncology nurses' communications-related competency. As an important cancer care team member, oncology nurses need to communicate effectively with cancer patients. Literature shows that poor communication can make patients feel anxious, uncertain and generally not satisfied with their nurses' care. This paper deliberates on the importance of effective communication by oncology nurses in the context of a public hospital. Four focus group discussions were used in this study with 17 oncology/cancer care nurses from Malaysian public hospitals. The main inclusion criterion was that the nurses had to have undergone a post-basic course in oncology, or have work experience as a cancer care nurse. The findings indicated that nurses do communicate with their patients, patients' families and doctors to provide information about the disease, cancer treatment, disease recurrence and side effects. Nurses should have good communication skills in order to build relationships as well as to provide quality services to their patients. The paper concludes by recommending how oncology nursing competencies can be improved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  7. Fulltext Psychosocial impact of perinatal loss among Muslim women
    Sutan R, Miskam HM
    BMC Womens Health, 2012;12:15.
    PMID: 22708998 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-12-15
    Women of reproductive age are vulnerable to psychosocial problems, but these have remained largely unexplored in Muslim women in developing countries. The aim of this study was to explore and describe psychosocial impact and social support following perinatal loss among Muslim women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  8. Uncovering the experiences and needs of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection at diagnosis: a qualitative study
    Ng CJ, Low WY, Wong LP, Sudin MR, Mohamed R
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2013 Jan;25(1):32-40.
    PMID: 21807630 DOI: 10.1177/1010539511413258
    Patients with hepatitis B face uncertainty at diagnosis. Information and support they receive at the early stage of the disease determine their adherence to follow up and treatment. This study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of patients with hepatitis B at diagnosis. A qualitative methodology was used. Nine focus groups (n = 44) were conducted to explore patients' feelings and reaction to the diagnosis, encounters with health care professionals, and their needs. The transcribed data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Most patients were not prepared for the diagnosis and many felt anxious and distressed. This was attributed to poor patients' knowledge, doctor's emphasis on disease complications, and associated stigma. Information about the disease was lacking and patients wanted to know more about the mode of transmission, natural progression of the disease, complications, and treatment options. There was a feeling of "passivity" among patients because there was often no active treatment available at diagnosis. This resulted in patients defaulting surveillance visits and missing the opportunity to start antiviral treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide sufficient information and education about hepatitis B to newly diagnosed patients, break "bad news" to patients with sensitivity, address their emotional needs, and emphasize on the rationale and importance of surveillance and treatment. This may entail public awareness campaign, implementation of pretest and posttest counseling, and educating doctors on how to communicate the diagnosis and management to patients accurately and sensitively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  9. Letting the bugs out of the bag
    Nature, 2011 Feb 10;470(7333):139.
    PMID: 21307891 DOI: 10.1038/470139a
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  10. Factors limiting deceased organ donation: focus groups' perspective from culturally diverse community
    Wong LP
    Transplant Proc, 2010 Jun;42(5):1439-44.
    PMID: 20620450 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.11.053
    BACKGROUND: In-depth understanding of cultural and religious factors limiting organ donation of three ethnic populations (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) in Southeast Asia is lacking. Identification of factors limiting organ donation among these three ethnic groups will provide insights into culturally appropriate strategies to promote acceptance of organ donation in a multiethnic Asian community.
    METHODS: A total of 17 focus group discussions (105 participants) were conducted between September and December 2008. Participants were members of the general public aged 18 to 60 years, recruited through convenient sampling around the Klang Valley area of Malaysia.
    RESULTS: Although the majority had favorable attitudes toward deceased organ donation and transplantation, a diversity of myths and misinformation were unearthed from the discussions across the ethnic groups. These include perceived religious prohibition, cultural myths and misperceptions, fear of disfigurement, fear of surgery, distrust of the medical system, and family disapproval. Culture and religious beliefs played important prohibitive roles among those opposed to organ donations. There were distinctive ethnic differences in cultural and religious concerns regarding organ donation. Less-educated and rural groups appeared to have more misconceptions than the well-educated and the urban groups.
    CONCLUSION: Our findings may assist organ donation and transplantation organizations to reach diverse sociodemographic and ethnic communities with culture-specific information about organ donation. The involvement of community and religious leaders is critical in organ donation requests.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  11. A qualitative study on urut Melayu: the traditional Malay massage
    Anuar HM, Fadzil F, Sallehuddin SM, Ahmad N, Abd Ghani N
    J Altern Complement Med, 2010 Nov;16(11):1201-5.
    PMID: 21058886 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0592
    OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to gain an insight into the experiences and views of practitioners of urut Melayu, the traditional Malay massage, which will be used in developing a preliminary framework of the urut Melayu process. DESIGN: We adopted a qualitative study design. We carried out a total of five focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising 6-10 urut Melayu practitioners each.
    LOCATION: We carried out three FGDs at the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division, Ministry of Health and two FGDs at a district Health Clinic.
    SUBJECTS: All participants of the FGDs were urut Melayu practitioners registered with the Ministry of Health. Three (3) FGDs comprised all females while two comprised all males. A total of 12 males and 24 females participated in the study.
    RESULTS: We identified six themes from the study, namely, indications for urut Melayu, the urut Melayu technique, other treatments in conjunction with urut Melayu, outcome of urut Melayu, ethics of urut Melayu, and practitioners' source of skills and knowledge.
    CONCLUSIONS: Urut Melayu is a unique form of massage carried out for various purposes. Although it is common belief that there are vast differences in the way it is performed from one practitioner to another, this study revealed that similarities do exist and there is potential to develop a standard framework for urut Melayu for regulation and training purposes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  12. Fulltext Training simulated patients: evaluation of a training approach using self-assessment and peer/tutor feedback to improve performance
    Perera J, Perera J, Abdullah J, Lee N
    BMC Med Educ, 2009;9:37.
    PMID: 19563621 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6920-9-37
    BACKGROUND: Most medical schools use simulated patients (SPs) for teaching. In this context the authenticity of role play and quality of feedback provided by SPs is of paramount importance. The available literature on SP training mostly addresses instructor led training where the SPs are given direction on their roles. This study focuses on the use of peer and self evaluation as a tool to train SPs.
    METHODS: SPs at the medical school participated in a staff development and training programme which included a) self-assessment of their performance while observing video-tapes of their role play using a structured guide and b) peer group assessment of their performance under tutor guidance. The pre and post training performance in relation to authenticity of role play and quality of feedback was blindly assessed by students and tutors using a validated instrument and the scores were compared. A focus group discussion and a questionnaire assessed acceptability of the training programme by the SPs.
    RESULTS: The post-training performance assessment scores were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the pre-training scores. The degree of improvement in the quality of feedback provided to students was more when compared to the improvement of role play. The acceptability of the training by the SPs was very satisfactory scoring an average of 7.6 out of 10. The majority of the SPs requested the new method of training to be included in their current training programme as a regular feature.
    CONCLUSION: Use of structured self-reflective and peer-interactive, practice based methods of SP training is recommended to improve SP performance. More studies on these methods of training may further refine SP training and lead to improvement of SP performance which in turn may positively impact medical education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  13. Role of men in promoting the uptake of HPV vaccinations: focus groups' finding from a developing country
    Wong LP
    Int J Public Health, 2010 Feb;55(1):35-42.
    PMID: 19771393 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-009-0072-4
    OBJECTIVES: Better outcomes of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination would be expected if men become full partners and advocates in vaccination initiative. Men involvement has important implication especially within the context that they are equally responsible for spreading the virus.

    METHODS: Twenty-seven men took part in four focus group discussions carried out to assess men's attitudes toward the HPV vaccine between October and November 2007.

    RESULTS: The results revealed that men have low awareness about the newly release vaccine and minimal knowledge of HPV and its association with cervical cancer. When provided with information, most men were in favor of protecting their spouses, partners, or daughters from cervical cancer using the vaccine. They were aware of the effects of men's risk behavioral patterns on women's risk for acquiring HPV infections. Many needed assurance about the vaccine's long-term safety and efficacy. They also expressed concern over the high cost of the vaccine. Men in this study played an influential role in the vaccination decision of their child and sexual partners. Many were in favor of male vaccination for cervical cancer prevention of their spouse or partner.

    CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine advocacy should put special emphasis on men as sexual partners, husbands, and fathers from a gender equality and partnership perspective. The findings are useful in facilitating the development of strategies for effective immunization initiatives.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  14. Young multiethnic women's attitudes toward the HPV vaccine and HPV vaccination
    Wong LP
    Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2008 Nov;103(2):131-5.
    PMID: 18768178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.07.005
    To investigate the acceptability of the HPV vaccine among a multiethnic sample of young women in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  15. Utilization of debate as an educational tool to learn health economics for dental students in Malaysia
    Khan SA, Omar H, Babar MG, Toh CG
    J Dent Educ, 2012 Dec;76(12):1675-83.
    PMID: 23225687
    Health economics, a special branch of science applying economic principles to the health delivery system, is a relatively young subdiscipline. The literature is scanty about teaching health economics in the medical and dental fields. Delivery methods of this topic vary from one university to another, with lectures, seminars, and independent learning reported as teaching/learning tools used for the topic. Ideally, debates should foster the development of logical reasoning and communication skills. Health economics in dentistry is taught under the community oral health module that constitutes part of an outcome-based dental curriculum in a private dental school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For this study, the students were divided into two groups: active participants (active debaters) and supporting participants (nonactive debaters). The debate style chosen for this activity was parliamentary style. Active and nonactive debaters' perceptions were evaluated before and after the activity through a structured questionnaire using a five-point rating scale addressing the topic and perceptions about debate as an educational tool. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used as a measure of internal consistency for the questionnaire items. Among a total of eighty-two third-year dental students of two successive cohorts (thirty-eight students and forty-four students), seventy-three completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 89 percent. Students' responses to the questionnaire were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test. Results revealed that the students felt that their interest in debate, knowledge of the topic, and reinforcement of the previous knowledge had improved following participation in the debate. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that debate was a useful tool in teaching health economics to dental students.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  16. Perceived barriers to and ideas for weight control interventions in Malay homemakers: results from focus groups
    Ng LW, Malhotra R, Lai D, Tai ES, Østbye T
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP552-61.
    PMID: 23482708 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513479966
    To develop a better understanding of perceived barriers to and ideas for weight loss and maintenance among Malay homemakers in Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  17. Beliefs and practices surrounding postpartum period among Myanmar women
    Sein KK
    Midwifery, 2013 Nov;29(11):1257-63.
    PMID: 23415368 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2012.11.012
    to examine the postpartum beliefs and practices among young women (15-24 years)
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  18. Nurses' perceptions of standardised assessment and prevention of complications in an ICU
    Soh KL, Davidson PM, Leslie G, DiGiacomo M, Soh KG
    J Clin Nurs, 2013 Mar;22(5-6):856-65.
    PMID: 23398314 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12017
    To describe nurses' perceptions of evidence-based recommendations to prevent complications in a Malaysian intensive care unit.
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  19. Fulltext Rural doctors' views on and experiences with evidence-based medicine: The FrEEDoM qualitative study
    Hisham R, Liew SM, Ng CJ, Mohd Nor K, Osman IF, Ho GJ, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(3):e0152649.
    PMID: 27031700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152649
    BACKGROUND: Evidence-based medicine is the integration of individual clinical expertise, best external evidence and patient values which was introduced more than two decades ago. Yet, primary care physicians in Malaysia face unique barriers in accessing scientific literature and applying it to their clinical practice.
    AIM: This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of rural doctors' about evidence-based medicine in their daily clinical practice in a rural primary care setting.
    METHODS: Qualitative methodology was used. The interviews were conducted in June 2013 in two rural health clinics in Malaysia. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Four focus group discussions with 15 medical officers and three individual in-depth interviews with family medicine specialists were carried out. All interviews were conducted using a topic guide and were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, checked and analyzed using a thematic approach.
    RESULTS: Key themes identified were: (1) doctors viewed evidence-based medicine mainly as statistics, research and guidelines, (2) reactions to evidence-based medicine were largely negative, (3) doctors relied on specialists, peers, guidelines and non-evidence based internet sources for information, (4) information sources were accessed using novel methods such as mobile applications and (5) there are several barriers to evidence-based practice, including doctor-, evidence-based medicine-, patient- and system-related factors. These included inadequacies in knowledge, attitude, management support, time and access to evidence-based information sources. Participants recommended the use of online services to support evidence-based practice in the rural settings.
    CONCLUSION: The level of evidence-based practice is low in the rural setting due to poor awareness, knowledge, attitude and resources. Doctors use non-evidence based sources and access them through new methods such as messaging applications. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate interventions to overcome the identified barriers.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
  20. Fulltext Views and experiences of Malaysian older persons about falls and their prevention-A qualitative study
    Loganathan A, Ng CJ, Low WY
    BMC Geriatr, 2016;16:97.
    PMID: 27153989 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-016-0274-6
    BACKGROUND: Few studies on falls interventions have been conducted in South East Asia. Despite its population ageing rapidly, the acceptability of interventions among the older population in this region remains variable. This study aims to explore views and experiences regarding falls and their prevention among older persons at high risk of falls.
    METHOD: Sixteen individuals aged 60 years and over with at least one fall in the preceding 12 months were recruited from our Primary Care clinics. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews among individuals and focus-groups was conducted. Thematic analyses were conducted on transcriptions of audio-taped interviews using the WeftQDA software. The interviews ceased when data saturation was achieved.
    RESULTS: The three themes included older persons' views on falls, help-seeking behaviour and views on falls interventions. Many older persons interviewed did not perceive falls as a serious problem, some reported a stigma surrounding falls, while others felt they had not sustained more serious injuries due to God's grace. Older persons sought traditional medicine and other alternative treatments for pain relief and other fall-related symptoms. Accessibility of healthcare facilities often prevented older persons from receiving physiotherapy or eye tests.
    CONCLUSION: The delivery of complex interventions for a multifactorial condition such as falls in the older persons in our setting is inhibited by various cultural barriers, falls perceptions as well as logistic difficulties. Efforts to establish a multi-disciplinary intervention among our older population will need to include strategies to overcome these issues.
    KEYWORDS: Accidental falls; Aged; Falls interventions; Falls preventions; Older adults; Qualitative study

    Study site: Primary Care Clinics at University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
    Matched MeSH terms: Focus Groups
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator ([email protected])

External Links