The implementation of problem-based learning in collaborative groups in a chiropractic program in Malaysia / 보건의료교육평가

PURPOSE: Problem-based learning (PBL) is usually conducted in small-group learning sessions with approximately eight students per facilitator. In this study, we implemented a modified version of PBL involving collaborative groups in an undergraduate chiropractic program and assessed its pedagogical effectiveness. METHODS: This study was conducted at the International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and involved the 2012 chiropractic student cohort. Six PBL cases were provided to chiropractic students, consisting of three PBL cases for which learning resources were provided and another three PBL cases for which learning resources were not provided. Group discussions were not continuously supervised, since only one facilitator was present. The students' perceptions of PBL in collaborative groups were assessed with a questionnaire that was divided into three domains: motivation, cognitive skills, and perceived pressure to work. RESULTS: Thirty of the 31 students (97%) participated in the study. PBL in collaborative groups was significantly associated with positive responses regarding students' motivation, cognitive skills, and perceived pressure to work (P<0.05). The students felt that PBL with learning resources increased motivation and cognitive skills (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The new PBL implementation described in this study does not require additional instructors or any additional funding. When implemented in a classroom setting, it has pedagogical benefits equivalent to those of small-group sessions. Our findings also suggest that students rely significantly on available learning resources.

A study on knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS, opinon on prevalence of HIV infection in the locality and sexual practice among trishawmen in Mandalay

Myanmar Medical Association (Mandalay Branch), general Practitioners'Section Myanmar Medical Association/Japan/s Grass Root Grant Assistance cosponsored an Anti HIV/AIDS project in Mandalay for fifteen months, conducted by General Practitioners' Section of Myanmar Medical Association (Mandalay Branch), the projection being 20,000 persons belonging to four high risk groups. Trishawmen of five townships in Mandalay were one of these high risk groups. Out of them 111 were randomly selected for a cross-sectional study. This study covered their educational status, their knowledge, attitude, practice and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS, condom usage and sexual exposure to commercial sex workers which will be reported in details.

Post-mortem histological and dissecting microscopic appearance of the proximal jejunum of Myanmar children

A comparative morphological study of jejunal villi under the dissecting microscope and their histological changes under the light microscope was performed on 100 childhood necropsies from Yangon Children Hospital. they were from a-day-old meonate to twelve-year-old children. Four patterns of villi morphology were observed under the dissecting microscope: finger-like, tongue-like, leave-like and ridge villi. Histologically, inflammatory cells infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa with vascular congestion of graded severity were observed. There is no correlation between villi morphology and histological changes. Tongue-like and leave-like villi could be regarded as normal for our children. Although histological examination of the post-mortem jejunal materials yields limited value, it could be of supportive or additive value if studied simultaneously with the dissecting microscopy.

Growth of thalassaemic children in Myanmar

The growth of thalassaemic children was studied at the Day-Care-Room in Yangon Children's Hospital. Most of these patients came to the Day-Care-Room for transfusion only, when their pretransfusion haemoglobin level became very low (range 3-8.2 g/dl, median 5.0 g/dl). Their spleens and livers were moderate to markedly enlarged. The percentage of children who had below median -2SD for weight and height for age were 68.8 percent and 72.9 percent respectively. There was no much difference between growth of boys and girls. The rising trend of percentage of children who had low weitht and height for age was found as they became loder. To get a better growth and a better quality of life, the pretransfusion haemoglobin level should be maintained at > 6 g/dl (probably 6-9 g/dl).

The effect of cobra (Naja naja) venom on blood coagulation/fibrinolysis system and on red blood cells

The effects of cobra (Naja naja) venom on blood coagulation , fibrinolysis and red blood cells were studied in vitro. Cobra venom had dose dependent inhibition effect on both intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. It also had inhibitive/ destructive effect on the individual clotting factors V, VII and X but on effect on the action of thrombin on fibrinogen. However, cobra venom had neither fibrinolytic nor fibrinogenolytic effect even at high venom concentration (10 mg/ ml). Furthemore, cobra venom had direct haemolytic effect shown by increased red cell fragility and raised plasma haemoglobin level.

Epidemiology of sports injury in Myanmar athletes

An epidemiological study of sports injury was conducted in early part of 1990. Records of five different federations, namely track and field, foot ball, volley ball, boxing and weight lifting from outpatients department of the Aung San Stadium, were collected for 1985, 1986, and 1987. An interview study was also carried out in 116 Myanmar selected athletes from the above five federations, to determine the possible causal factors of sports injury. Three year average incidence rate of sports injury in five federations was 5.5 per 100 athletes. Common sites of injury, major types of injury, type of treatment, health seeking pattern, causes of sports injury were described, and discussed.