1.Usage of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM): Prevalence, Practice and Perception among Post Stroke Patients Attending Conventional Stroke Rehabilitation in A Teaching Hospital in Malaysia
Mohd Fairuz Ali ; Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz ; Mohd Radzniwan Rashid ; Zuraidah Che Man ; Amnor Aidiliana Amir ; Lim Yinn Shien ; Nurul Shahida Ramli ; Nur Asilah Anez Zainal Abidin
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(1):18-23
Introduction: The lack of evidence that proves the benefit of
traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) in treating
chronic medical conditions does not deter its usage among
patients worldwide. Prevalence of usage among post-stroke
patients in Malaysia especially is unknown. This study aims
to determine the prevalence, practice and perception of
T&CM use among stroke survivors attending an outpatient
rehabilitation program in a teaching hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among
104 post stroke patients attending an outpatient
rehabilitation program. A structured self-administered
questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic
and clinical profile of patients, as well as types
of therapy used and perception on T&CM usage. Descriptive
analysis was done, and bivariate analysis was used to
determine associations between categorical data.
Results: Mean age of patients was 62 years (SD 12.2), 54%
were Chinese and 75% of the patients had ischaemic stroke.
Mean age of T&CM users was younger compared to nonT&CM
users (61 years vs. 66 years, p=0.04). Two-thirds (66%)
of patients admitted to concurrent T&CM usage while
attending conventional post stroke rehabilitation.
Acupuncture (40.4%), massage (40.4%) and traditional
Chinese medicine (11.5%) were the most common T&CM
used. Positive perception was recorded in terms of ability of
T&CM usage to relieve post stroke symptoms (68%), and it
was safe to use because it was made from ‘natural sources'.
Negative perception recorded: T&CM caused significant
adverse effects (57.6%) and was not safe to be used in
combination with other conventional medicines (62.5%).
Conclusions: Concurrent T&CM usage among post-stroke
patients attending structured outpatient rehabilitation
program is widely practised especially acupuncture,
massage and traditional Chinese medici
Complementary Therapies, Stroke
2.A Qualitative Study Exploring the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Teaching and Learning of Family Medicine Course among Undergraduates in a Local University in Malaysia
Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen ; Mohd. Radzniwan A. Rashid ; Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman ; Muhammad Tauffik Mohd Noor ; Sharifah Najwa Syed Mohamad
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.3):115-122
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the global teaching and learning process (TnL). Unfortunately, to date, not many qualitative studies have been published specifically on the impact of COVID-19 on
the Family Medicine course, particularly in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19
pandemic on the teaching and learning experience of undergraduate students undergoing their Family Medicine
course at a local university. Methods: A qualitative study using focused group discussion (FGD), was conducted
among undergraduate students during the lockdown period. A semi-structured interview guide was used to interview
20 students, in their fifth undergraduate year, undertaking their fourth to fifth week of a total six-week course. They
were selected using purposive snowball sampling method. There were four focus group discussions (FGD) with five
students in a group. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and the contents were analysed using
the standard content analysis framework. Subsequently, thematic content analysis was conducted, and three major
themes were produced. Results: The three major themes were (1) facilitators to learning, (2) barriers to learning, and
(3) rooms for improvement. Conclusion: Although COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on TnL of Family
Medicine course among undergraduates, the students remained optimistic and proposed some improvement from
their point of view. However, a creative, realistic, effective, and impactful way of TnL, particularly in clinical aspects
should be developed and experimented. Technological progress and advancement should permit this idea to be
achievable and implemented in near future.
3.COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Mohd Radzniwan Abdul Rashid ; Afiqah Syazwani Abdullah Suhaimi ; Sharifah Najwa Syed Mohamad ; Ahmad Izzat Ahmad Tajjudin ; Nuruliza Roslan ; Aida Jaffar ; Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen ; Faizul Helmi Addnan ; Nizam Baharom ; Muslimah Ithnin
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2024;20(No.1):330-342
Pandemic fatigue encompasses exhaustion, emotional strain, and decreased motivation due to prolonged pandemic
effects. This scoping review examines pandemic fatigue issues related to COVID-19, aiming to suggest effective management strategies. We assessed 2,558 records from 1st of December 2019 until 27th of March 2022 in PubMed,
Science Direct, ProQuest, and ClinicalKey. Following Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and PRISMA-ScR principles, we
selected 31 studies including research papers employing either quantitative or qualitative methods and editorials
and other summary articles after excluding redundant and irrelevant works. The authors provide six critical answers
to understand better and manage pandemic fatigue, including the need for more research and support, the collaboration between key stakeholders and the community, and the use of information to address pandemic fatigue. The
review found that pandemic fatigue is prevalent among certain groups, such as students and healthcare workers.
Factors contributing to pandemic fatigue include age, gender, high perceived severity of COVID-19, low trust in
government or health organizations, and low social connectedness. The review also identified an instrument, the
COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue Scale, that can be used to measure pandemic fatigue. The review concluded that
identifying pandemic fatigue as early as possible is absolutely important and people and their government should
work together to handle the fatigue. Many countries have acknowledged the presence hence manage it differently.
Nonetheless the strategy suggested by WHO has provided an excellent framework to tackle the pandemic fatigue.