AIM: This study aimed to determine the level of technostress associated with burnout and fatigue among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the state hospitals of Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to November 2023 among HCWs working in the 15-state hospitals in Malaysia. A standardized questionnaire was distributed among the HCWs in the state hospitals in Malaysia. The questionnaire contains information on socio-demography and topic-specific scales on technostress, burnout and fatigue.
RESULTS: A total of 1620 HCWs were included in the analysis, of which 244 (15%) have high level of technostress, 1089 (67%) have moderate technostress, and 287 (18%) have low technostress. Burnout, and fatigue were significantly associated with technostress. HCWs with moderate burnout were less likely to have high technostress compared to those with high burnout (B = -0.993, 95% CI; 0.231 - 0.594; p
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to observe treatment patterns among children with ADHD referred to psychiatry and mental health services in Malaysia after receiving treatment for 18 months. This study will also compare treatment outcomes between children with ADHD who do receive treatment and those who do not receive any ADHD treatment.
METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study will use secondary data from clinical records of children aged 4 to 16 years with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, ADHD subtype and comorbidities, treatment modalities, health care use, treatment trajectories, and clinical outcomes will be extracted using a standardized case report form and will be anonymized prior to analysis. Data collection will be undertaken by trained site investigators and medical officers across participating centers. Statistical analyses will be conducted using R software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing). Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize characteristics, treatment patterns, health care use, and clinical outcomes of children with ADHD. Treatment patterns will be characterized according to pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, treatment modifications, and service use. Comparative analyses will be performed to examine associations between treatment patterns and clinical outcomes across children with ADHD and clinical subgroups.
RESULTS: This study will be funded through a Ministry of Health Research Grant obtained in August 2026. It will commence in August 2026 and end in December 2028. Based on the sample size calculation, a minimum of 2771 eligible children with ADHD records will be included in the study. The study will be reported in accordance with the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines for retrospective cohort studies. The findings will be disseminated through presentations and article publications at the national and international levels.
CONCLUSIONS: This study will address a critical evidence gap in ADHD care by providing comprehensive real-world data on treatment patterns and outcomes among Malaysian children with ADHD. Findings will identify variations in treatment approaches, treatment trajectories, and clinical outcomes across hospitals and regions, assess the alignment of real-world practice with national recommendations, and highlight potential disparities in access to ADHD specialist services. The findings are expected to support evidence-based clinical decision-making, guide strategic health care planning, optimize resource use, and contribute to the development of a more coordinated, efficient, and equitable system of ADHD care across diverse health care settings in Malaysia.