Attitude towards problem-based learning and its relationship with locus of control and academic self-concept among medical students / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE@#This study aimed to assess the degree of acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) among phase one medical students and its association with academic self-concept (ASC) and internal locus of control (ILOC).@*METHODS@#A 5-point Likert scale valid and reliable questionnaire assessing the attitude towards PBL, ASC, and ILOC was given to phase one medical students at MAHSA University. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA).@*RESULTS@#Out of 255 participants, there were 84 males and 171 females, 175 Malaysians and 80 non-Malaysians. The results showed an overall acceptance of PBL with a mean of 3.7±0.07, ASC of 3.5±0.05 and ILOC of 2.9±0.05. Females showed a higher significant acceptance of PBL, ASC, and ILOC as compared with males. There was no difference between Malaysians and non-Malaysians in any of the variables measured. Simple regression analysis revealed a significant predictive effect of acceptance of PBL on ASC and ILOC (r=0.44 and r=0.88, respectively).@*CONCLUSION@#The higher the acceptance of PBL among students, the higher is the ASC and ILOC. This reflects the importance of PBL as a teaching method as well as the importance of increasing the level of appreciation of PBL amongst students.

Attitude towards problem-based learning and its relationship with locus of control and academic self-concept among medical students / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the degree of acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) among phase one medical students and its association with academic self-concept (ASC) and internal locus of control (ILOC). METHODS: A 5-point Likert scale valid and reliable questionnaire assessing the attitude towards PBL, ASC, and ILOC was given to phase one medical students at MAHSA University. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). RESULTS: Out of 255 participants, there were 84 males and 171 females, 175 Malaysians and 80 non-Malaysians. The results showed an overall acceptance of PBL with a mean of 3.7±0.07, ASC of 3.5±0.05 and ILOC of 2.9±0.05. Females showed a higher significant acceptance of PBL, ASC, and ILOC as compared with males. There was no difference between Malaysians and non-Malaysians in any of the variables measured. Simple regression analysis revealed a significant predictive effect of acceptance of PBL on ASC and ILOC (r=0.44 and r=0.88, respectively). CONCLUSION: The higher the acceptance of PBL among students, the higher is the ASC and ILOC. This reflects the importance of PBL as a teaching method as well as the importance of increasing the level of appreciation of PBL amongst students.

Salivary Leptin Level in Young Adult Males and its Association with Anthropometric Measurements, Fat Distribution and Muscle Mass.

Aims: 1) To assess salivary leptin levels in normal-underweight versus overweight and obese healthy adult males aged 18-25 years old. 2) The relative contribution of anthropometric measurements, fat percentage, fat distribution (visceral versus subcutaneous) and total as well as regional muscle mass in arms, trunk and legs respectively in predicting salivary leptin levels. Methods: A total of 92 adult males were classified into two groups based on their body mass index (BMI): normal-underweight, BMI <24.9 kg/m2 (n=51); overweight-obese, BMI >25 kg/m2 (n=41). Anthropometric measurements such as BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were measured through standardised methods. Fat percentage, visceral fat level, subcutaneous fat and muscle mass (total and regional) were measured using Karada scan bioelectrical impedance method. Fasting saliva samples were collected and used for assessing salivary leptin concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the two groups in all of the parameters measured except height and salivary leptin levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that HC, WC and WHR were good predictors for salivary leptin levels in normal-underweight group. However, in the overweight-obese group, height was the most important independent variable that could predict salivary leptin levels as a dependent variable. Conclusions: Predictors for salivary leptin levels in adult healthy males are different in normal-underweight subjects from overweight-obese subjects. The most important predictor for salivary leptin levels is HC in normal weight subjects, while it is height in overweight and obese healthy adult males.