Paramedics’ Perception on Video Assisted Learning Method in Learning Emergency Skills

Information technology use in healthcare education has become a popular medium of instruction. One of the medium of instruction is video assisted learning (VAL). The use of VAL as an instructional method in the teaching and learning of emergency skills is not new. However, there are lack of studies on the perception of using this method in learning emergency skills. This qualitative study involved four focused discussion groups following a VAL instruction on emergency skills. A total of 20 paramedics were divided into four groups. They were involved in a focussed discussion after a VAL instruction session. Findings reveal that the paramedics perceived three major themes which were categorized as : i) advantages of video as teaching tool, ii) barrier in using video as a teaching tool; and iii) suggestions on using video as teaching tool. The findings indicate that the paramedics perceived VAL as a potential tool for learning emergency skills. However, they suggested the language of instruction should be in their mother tongue for better understanding. This implies that using English language has disadvantage in technology enhanced learning for better understanding.

Post-Stroke Survivors: The Relationship between Clinical Characteristics and the Levels of Depression

Stroke is frequently associated with long-term disability. Stroke leads to high risk of physical and neuropsychological consequences. Residual disabilities among post-stroke survivors can lead them to depression. This study aimed to determine the relationship between clinical characteristics and the levels of depression among post-stroke survivors at a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. This cross-sectional study recruited 195 post-stroke survivors who attended follow-up Rehabilitation Clinic of a teaching hospital over a study period of 4 months. Information collected included socio-demographic, clinical characteristics (post stroke duration, stroke types and stroke severities) and level of depression. Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess the level of depression. The mean age of participants was 61 years (SD=13.86, range: 22-87 years), with 118 male and 81 female survivors having a median duration of post-stroke of 12 months (range: 1–79 months). This study showed post stroke survivors 116 (59.5%) with depression. A Chi-square test for level of stroke severity was significantly associated with depression, χ2 (2, n=195) = 28.724, p<0.001, phi = 0.384. The results of the present study showed that survivors with mild stroke had less depression (44.0%) compared to moderate stroke (81.7%) and severe stroke (87.5%).

Functional Status of Post Stroke Survivors

Globally, stroke is the commonest cause of long-term disability. The residual disabilities among post stroke patients affect their daily living activities. The aim of rehabilitation therapy is to help stroke survivors to gain back their functional ability. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between post stroke duration with functionality status of post-stroke survivals at a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. A cross-sectional study involved one hundred nine five post stroke patients who attended the Rehabilitation Clinic over a 4-month period. The data on post stroke duration was reveale from patient’s cleckship. Their functional status was assessed with Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results showed the mean age of participants was 61 years (SD=13.86, range:22-87 years), with 118 males and 81 females having a median duration of 12 months post-stroke (range: 1–79 months). The prevalence 123 (63.1%) of stroke survivors are found to be dependent in their daily living activity. A Chi-square test for independence indicated there was significant relationship between post-stroke duration with levels of functioning, χ2 (2 , n=195) = 6.455, p<0.05,phi = 0.182. Patients in post-stroke duration of 13-24 months were independent (52.1) than ≤ 12 months and ≥ 24 months.

Development of the Pelvic and Lower Limb Immobilization Device: A Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Innovation Project

Uncontrolled bleeding due to pelvic fractures contributes to trauma-related morbidity and mortality. Three main strategies that have been outlined to combat this condition which include reduction of pelvic volume that lead to tamponade-like effect, arresting haemorrhage through angioembolization of the major vessels, and stabilization of the pelvic bone with external fixation need to be initiated early. A prehospital device that allow these strategies will aid significantly in the management of the patient. At present most devices used to treat pelvic fractures in the pre-hospital setting do have its’ own advantages but also have some limitations. A characteristic ‘wish-list’ of a good pelvic and lower limb immobilization device was created and the research team from UKM takes the challenge to design and produce a device that concurs to it. A two phase development project that incorporate anthropometric, biomechanical, cadaveric and radiological study was carried out over a period of seven years. Finally, BRIMTM immobilizer, a new pelvic and lower limb immobilization device that is user friendly, tough, cost effective, radiolucent, light and reusable that answers most of the requirement of a good device was invented.