Objective: The involvement of families in assisting health professionals in providing care for their family members who suffer a stroke during hospitalization is common in Malaysia. Family caregivers are accountable in providing for the first-ever stroke survivor’s needs, including maintaining functional improvements gained in rehabilitation and the long-term well-being of the stroke survivors. The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of life satisfaction among family caregivers of hospitalized first-ever stroke patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community research design study with purposive sampling. It involved 102 family caregivers of hospitalized first-ever stroke patients of two tertiary hospitals in Kelantan. The Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Score (BCOS) was used to measure life satisfaction. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictors of life satisfaction. Results: Out of 102 respondents, 21 were males and 81 were females with age range of 16 to 76 years. Significant predictors of life satisfaction of caregivers while caring for their hospitalized first-ever stroke family members were caregivers’ health (β: -2.875, 95%CI: -5.725, -0.025, p = 0.048), patients’ age (β: - 4.251, 95% CI: - 6.379, -2.123, p<0.001) and educational status of patients (β: 3.176, 95% CI: 1.083, 5.269, p = 0.003). Conclusion: This study highlighted predictors of life satisfaction among caregivers while caring for their hospitalized family members with stroke. The results may provide a basis for developing a support program for the family caregivers of hospitalized stroke patients in preparation for their continuing caregiving role at their homes. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (2): July – December 2014: 164-175.

Community engagement efforts in brains and neurosciences projects involving higher education institutions are currently sporadic in Malaysia and likely to contribute the apparent lack of neuroscience awareness in the society. In this paper, we highlight ‘The Brain Apprentice’ project as a knowledge transfer effort to raise neuroscience awareness using school-centred neuroscience clubs. These groups promote the appreciation of neuroscience beyond conventional classroom approaches and the training of neuroscience graduate interns as student facilitators in the teaching and learning of neuroscience. The Brain Apprentice was delivered through the establishment of two school-based neuroscience clubs, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kubang Kerian 3 (primary level) and Sekolah Menengah Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra (secondary level). The teaching and learning of neuroscience was delivered through practical sessions and competitions. Questionnaires were collected from the students based on the following four domains: general satisfaction, impact of knowledge transfer, satisfaction with graduate interns, and knowledge and practical relevance of neuroscience. The National Brain Bee championship has resulted in the first Malaysia representative competing at the International Brain Bee 2012. Students, who had participated as neuroscience club members were exposed to the basic principles of neuroscience, which boosted their interest in science and neuroscience. The graduate interns had also been provided with opportunities to hone in their soft skills and be involved in community-engagement efforts. This project offered a suitable model of community-engagement in raising awareness about and the profile of neuroscience both in terms of knowledge exposure and from the perspective of career options in the field.

The School of Medical Sciences of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is the launching pad for this journal. From the school’s humble beginning at the USM Main Campus in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, it has grown in stature at its current location in the USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Commemorating its 40th anniversary, this editorial aims to recollect, although not exhaustively, the wealth of returns for the USM, as well as for the nation, which the school has managed to deliver in that period. Resolute to its vision and mission, this article highlights the outstanding accomplishments in various core aspects of the school’s academic, research and professional growth as we continually strive to train globally competitive and compassionate medical graduates, medical specialists and scientists, skilled to serve nation’s needs and broader markets worldwide. Currently guided by the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (2015–2025), the school shall remain ingenious in its duties in the many more years to come, as we head for a world-class trajectory.