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Fulltext Doctor hopping in general practice: a Malaysian survey

Ngeow TF, Chia SF, Ong CB

Aust Fam Physician, 1981 May;10(5):397-9, 401-3.
PMID: 7283844

In a survey of 5233 patients seen in the clinics of three general practitioners, 339 patients were found to be doctor hoppers (6.48 per cent). Respiratory symptoms and fever were the commonest presentation affecting mainly the paediatric age group. No improvement in the symptoms was quoted as the most common reason for switching to another doctor. Many factors contributed to doctor hopping and these were best considered in relation to the illness, the patient and the doctor: From the point of prevention, the doctor himself has a significant role to play, particularly in improving the doctor-patient relationship and patient compliance.
Study site: Johor (Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat, Muar)

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior*
Comfort and frictional properties of dental gloves

Roberts AD, Brackley CA

J Dent, 1996 Sep;24(5):339-43.
PMID: 8916648

OBJECTIVES: A survey of general dental practitioners and dental surgery assistants was carried out to ascertain their preferences and opinions on powder-free hydrogel-coated gloves compared with starch-powdered gloves. The aim was to relate the survey findings to laboratory measurements of the frictional characteristics of glove inner surfaces and their water absorptive capability.
METHODS: The survey was carried out using a questionnaire given to local dental practitioners. Glove friction and water absorption measurements were made using specially designed equipment.
RESULTS: The survey showed that a selected group of dentist and dental surgery assistants preferred hydrogel-coated gloves, particularly for damp donning, durability and long-term wear comfort. Laboratory measurements showed that the hydrogel coating gave a low friction coefficient against damp skin. The coating was durable, and absorbed water more readily than other treatments.
CONCLUSION: A survey of dental practitioners and dental surgery assistants and laboratory measurements indicates that hydrogel-coated gloves have superior properties, and are preferred to other non-sterile glove types.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Medical school entrance and career plans of Malaysian medical students

Razali SM

Med Educ, 1996 Nov;30(6):418-23.
PMID: 9217903

This study investigates the reasons for entry to medicine and the career perspectives of phase III medical students of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The majority of the students were Malays from low socio-economic backgrounds who entered medical school after completing a 2-year matriculation course. An interest in medicine and helping people were the two main stated reasons for entry to medical school. A group of students wishing to work in private practice was identified. In comparison to the rest of the study body, students in the group were: not well prepared to enter medical school; dissatisfied with the course; and subject to family influences. A desire for monetary gain motivated their choice of medicine as a career. Overall, 13% of the students wished to change career because they were dissatisfied with their experience of medicine as undergraduates. The study did not find a significant difference in career intentions between female and male medical students. However, women were less likely to seek entrance into private practice or pursue formal postgraduate education. The choice of surgery as a career was confined to men. About 90% of the students had already decided on their future specialty. Four well-established specialties were their most popular choices. The gender of the students had no significant influences of the decision to continue into postgraduate education. The proportion of female students who wished to marry doctors was significantly higher than for male students.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Chemical, physical and sensory properties of chicken frankfurters substituted with palm fats

Tan SS, Aminah A, Mohd Suria Affandi Y, Atil O, Babji AS

Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2001 Jan;52(1):91-8.
PMID: 11225183

Physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of frankfurters prepared with three types of palm fats (PF60: 40, PF70: 30 and PF80: 20) and palm olein (POo) at 20 and 25% of fat levels were studied. Incorporation of different fats at 20 and 25% did not affect the cooking yields of the frankfurters. Frankfurters incorporated with 25% POo showed the highest value of water-holding capacity (WHC) among eight formulations. The frankfurters containing POo showed the least cooking loss compared to those with palm fats. The incorporation of different type and level of fats resulted in significant changes in the colour (lightness, redness, yellowness) of frankfurters. Texture profiles of both raw and cooked frankfurters were found to be altered by the blending of different type and level of fats. In raw frankfurters, hardness for frankfurters mixed with palm fats were significantly higher than the one with POo but greater values for cohesiveness was observed in raw frankfurters blended with POo. Lowest chewiness was demonstrated by frankfurters mixed with 20% POo. Grilling increased the hardness values of all frankfurters. Contrary to the raw counterparts, cooked frankfurter with POo was the hardest among all formulations. Cohesiveness and chewiness was also found to be significantly higher for cooked frankfurters mixed with POo. Raw frankfurters with fat content of 25% showed greater value in hardness than those of 20%. However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) observed for all the texture profile attributes in cooked frankfurters due to fat levels. In sensory evaluation, frankfurters prepared with POo were found to be most acceptable by consumer panels as they scored the highest for hardness rating, chicken flavour, oiliness and overall acceptance attributes.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Research and development of transgenic plants in Malaysia: an example from an Asian developing country

Hashim M, Osman M, Abdullah R, Pillai V, Abu Bakar UK, Hashim H, et al.

Food Nutr Bull, 2002 Dec;23(4):367-75.
PMID: 16619743

In 2000, agriculture contributed 13% to the national gross domestic product of Malaysia. The country of 23 million people has created a competitive program coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, research institutions, and universities to undertake biotechnology research in several areas. Intensified research efforts are under way on oil palm, rubber, rice, papaya, and orchids. Although the most progress has been made in rice and papaya, no transgenic crop is ready for field trials. Nonetheless, preliminary steps have been taken to prepare for the trials, and detailed testing protocols are being developed.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Teaching and training in orthopaedics at undergraduate level in Malaysia: the consumers' viewpoint

Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2002 Dec;57 Suppl E:27-30.
PMID: 12733189
Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior*
Hospital service quality: a managerial challenge

Rose RC, Uli J, Abdul M, Ng KL

Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv, 2004;17(2-3):146-59.
PMID: 15301271

While much is known generally about predictions of customer-perceived service quality, their application to health services is rarer. No attempt has been made to examine the impact of social support and patient education on overall service quality perception. Together with six quality dimensions identified from the literature, this study seeks to provide a more holistic comprehension of hospital service quality prediction. Although 79 percent of variation is explained, other than technical quality the impact of the remaining factors on quality perception is far from constant, and socio-economic variables further complicate unpredictability. Contrary to established beliefs, the cost factor was found to be insignificant. Hence, to manage service quality effectively, the test lies in how well healthcare providers know the customers they serve. It is not only crucial in a globalized environment, where trans-national patient mobility is increasingly the norm, but also within homogeneous societies that appear to converge culturally.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Fulltext Palm oil and palm olein frying applications

Ismail R

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2005;14(4):414-9.
PMID: 16326649

Several million tones of palm oil and palm olein are used annually in the world for frying. This paper will discuss their frying performances in three major applications - industrial production of potato chips/crisps, industrial production of pre-fried frozen French fries and in fast food outlets. In the first study, about four tones of potato chips were continuously fried 8 hours a day and five days a week. The palm olein used (with proper management) performed well and was still in excellent condition and usable at the end of the trial. This was reflected in its low free fatty acid (FFA) content of around 0.23%, peroxide value of 4 meq/kg, anisidine value of 16, low polar and polymer contents of 10% and 2%, respectively, induction period (OSI) of 21 hours and high content of tocopehrols and tocotrienols of 530 ppm even after >1900 hours. In the second study in which an average 12 tones pre-fried frozen French fries were continuously fried a day for 5 days a week, palm oil performed excellently as reflected by its low FFA of 0.34%, food oil sensor reading of 1.1, low polar and polymer contents of 17% and 2.8%, respectively, over the 12 days of trial. In the third study in which palm shortening, palm oil and palm olein were simultaneously used to intermittently fry chicken parts in the laboratory simulating the conditions in fast food outlets, the three frying oils also performed very satisfactorily as reflected by their reasonably low FFA of <1%, smoke points of >180 degrees C, and polar and polymer contents of <25% and <6%, respectively, after 5 days of consecutive frying. All the quality indicators did not exceed the maximum discard points for frying oils/fats in the three applications, while the fried food product was well accepted by the in-house train sensory panel using a-nine point hedonic score.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Expanding nursing education through e-learning: A case study in Malaysia

Syed-Mohamad SM, Pardi KW, Zainal NA, Ismail Z

Stud Health Technol Inform, 2006;122:186-9.
PMID: 17102245

The School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (SHS) is planning to expand its contribution to produce more graduate nurses by offering a nursing degree through e-learning. After three years of using e-learning by four lecturers in seven nursing courses, we conducted a study to get the lecturers feedback and to compare the students' preference and their actual experiences in e-learning. Lecturers' feedback were collected based on six open-ended questions. Feedback from all the 36 final year nursing students were collected using Constructivist On-line Learning Environment Survey (COLLES)--the Student Experience/Preferred Form. Results show that lecturers and students have positive perception on e-learning. They perceive e-learning as a powerful and effective tool for expanding nursing education to meet the demand for a labour force that is knowledgeable, highly skilled and equipped with positive values. We believe blended learning is the most suitable approach to implement e-learning and social constructivism theory provides the dynamic view of learning. To increase success in e-learning implementation for the nursing programme, lecturers should be educated regarding proper instructional design so that their content delivery blends well with the technology and pedagogy.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
The security concern on internet banking adoption among Malaysian banking customers

Sudha R, Thiagarajan AS, Seetharaman A

Pak J Biol Sci, 2007 Jan 01;10(1):102-6.
PMID: 19069993

The existing literatures highlights that the security is the primary factor which determines the adoption of Internet banking technology. The secondary information on Internet banking development in Malaysia shows a very slow growth rate. Hence, this study aims to study the banking customers perception towards security concern and Internet banking adoption through the information collected from 150 sample respondents. The data analysis reveals that the customers have much concern about security and privacy issue in adoption of Internet banking, whether the customers are adopted Internet banking or not. Hence, it infers that to popularize Internet banking system there is a need for improvement in security and privacy issue among the banking customers.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
How do consumer attitudes influence acceptance of a novel wild blueberry-soy product?

Teh T, Dougherty MP, Camire ME

J Food Sci, 2007 Sep;72(7):S516-21.
PMID: 17995666

Acceptance of healthful foods by consumers is not yet well understood. In this study, 3 formulations of frozen dessert bars were prepared containing both soy and wild blueberries. Soy content was controlled to provide an amount of soy protein that qualified for the health claim for soy and reduced risks for cardiovascular disease. Consumers were asked to complete the Health and Taste Attitude Scales (HTAS) and then evaluate the acceptability of the 3 frozen bar types using a 9-point hedonic scale. One week after the 1st session, the participants returned. Approximately half were given information to read regarding the health benefits of soy protein, the other participants were given no information. The samples were then presented a 2nd time and labeled with their soy protein content. Changes in hedonic scores between sessions were compared and correlated with HTAS ratings. Nutrition information generally did not affect acceptability scores.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior*
Demand analysis of tobacco consumption in Malaysia

Ross H, Al-Sadat NA

Nicotine Tob Res, 2007 Nov;9(11):1163-9.
PMID: 17978990

We estimated the price and income elasticity of cigarette demand and the impact of cigarette taxes on cigarette demand and cigarette tax revenue in Malaysia. The data on cigarette consumption, cigarette prices, and public policies between 1990 and 2004 were subjected to a time-series regression analysis applying the error-correction model. The preferred cigarette demand model specification resulted in long-run and short-run price elasticities estimates of -0.57 and -0.08, respectively. Income was positively related to cigarette consumption: A 1% increase in real income increased cigarette consumption by 1.46%. The model predicted that an increase in cigarette excise tax from Malaysian ringgit (RM) 1.60 to RM2.00 per pack would reduce cigarette consumption in Malaysia by 3.37%, or by 806,468,873 cigarettes. This reduction would translate to almost 165 fewer tobacco-related lung cancer deaths per year and a 20.8% increase in the government excise tax revenue. We conclude that taxation is an effective method of reducing cigarette consumption and tobacco-related deaths while increasing revenue for the government of Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior/economics
Fulltext Enhancing animal protein supplies in Malaysia: opportunities and challenges

Devendra, C.

ASM Science Journal, 2007;1(1):63-73.
MyJurnal

The increased human demand for animal proteins in Malaysia is led by several factors: population growth, urbanisation, income growth and changing consumer preferences. Meeting the projected increased demand in the future is an awesome and challenging task. Presently, the non-ruminant poultry and pig industries, mainly private sector led, make the most significant contribution to total animal protein supplies, and inefficient ruminant production systems lag well behind. The strategy for promoting productivity growth to increase animal protein supplies from ruminants requires concerted efficient natural resource management that can target specific production systems. Two distinct economic opportunities are the development of oil palm-based cattle and goat production. The value addition to oil palm cultivation due to the beneficial crop-animal-soil interactions are enormous. The prerequisites are inter-disciplinary efforts, holistic systems, participatory community-based research and development that are needs-based and address constraints, increased research investments, institutional commitment and a policy environment that can enhance total factor productivity in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Perceptions of students towards the examination questions at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Thomas P, Hoon OP

Educ Health (Abingdon), 2008 Mar;21(1):178.
PMID: 19034839
Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Customers satisfaction towards Posyandu at urban and rural areas

Sharifa Ezat, W.P., Aniza, I., Jamiah, M., Khalib, L., Dwiyanti

Journal of Health Management, 2008;4(1):88-95.
MyJurnal

Customer satisfaction is one of the main priority to any service provider. It indicates process and quality involved in delivering of services. However, satisfaction level varies from one service to another. In Indonesia, satisfaction study is seldom done on Posyandu activity. This study tries to understanding this issue. A cross sectional study was conducted on Posyandu services located in urban and rural areas of South Sumatera, Indonesia from November 2005 until January 2006 with 125 respondents in urban area and 123 respondents in rural area using multi stages random sampling. Data was collected via structured questionnaires using SERVQUAL score method based on five dimensions : tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. The results showed that the proportion of satisfied customers was higher at 74% particularly in the rural area. Satisfied respondents were significantly associated with age, education, income and distance to Posyandu services. The most satisfying dimension were tangible and reliability especially in the urban area, but not for responsive and empathy dimension. Overall, the mean SERVQUAL score of all dimension was higher for the urban as compared to the rural area, implying that customer perceptions are much better from what was expected.
Responsive and empathy dimension were the main barrier affecting customer satisfaction. Staff development efforts such as training, refreshing and others form of organizational development strategies, therefore, need to be incorporated into its current managerial practice in order to improve the health services delivery and increase customers' satisfaction.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Fulltext Demand for beef in Malaysia: preference for quantity, quality or lean?

Tey, Y.S., Mad Nasir, S., Alias, R., Zainalabidin, M., Amin, M.A.

International Food Research Journal, 2008;15(3):347-353.
MyJurnal

Using the Malaysian Household Expenditure Survey 2004/2005 data, this study investigated Malaysian consumers’ preference for beef quantity, quality, and lean beef. Demand and price models that incorporated consumer socio-economic variables were estimated via two-stage least squares (2SLS). This study showed that Malaysian consumers tend to demand for more quantity rather than quality of beef products. Malaysian consumers are also more responsive to price changes rather than fat reduction in beef products. It is more profitable for beef market players to increase their production as Malaysian consumers are expected to consume increasing amounts of beef products.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
Fulltext A Study of Patients’ Satisfaction with the Emergency Department (ED) of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM)

Isamil Saiboon, Ho, Siew Eng, Krishnan, Bala, Siti Norraini Ali, Noorafindi Murad, Pathnathan, Audrey, et al.

Medicine & Health, 2008;3(1):7-13.
MyJurnal

Patients’ satisfaction is of critical interest to all healthcare providers. Satisfied patients are more likely to seek health care and to comply with prescribed treatment regimes. The objective of the study was to identify factors that influence patient satisfaction with Emergency Department HUKM (ED HUKM). This study was conducted at ED HUKM from January 2007 till March 2007. A convenience sample of 100 participants was recruited from triage 4. The Davis Consumer Emergency Care Satisfaction Scale (CECSS) was adopted and modified. It consists of 19 questions; used a 5 point, Likert type scale of 1 to 5 (1= completely disagree and 5= completely agree) to measure patient satisfaction with triage, health care providers caring behaviours and health teaching. Results showed that 75 participants (75%) were satisfied. There were no significant difference found between male and female patients with total CESCC scores (t=0.308, p values >0.05). Pearson product moment correlation coefficients showed a positive relationship between total and subscale patient satisfaction scores, caring scores (r=0.905, p value

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior
The educational environment and self-perceived clinical competence of senior medical students in a Malaysian medical school

Lai N, Nalliah S, Jutti RC, Hla Y, Lim VK

Educ Health (Abingdon), 2009 Aug;22(2):148.
PMID: 20029744

The educational environment is widely considered to be a major factor affecting students' motivation and learning outcomes. Although students' perceptions of their educational environment are often reported, we are unaware of any published reports that relate this information to students' clinical competence, either self-perceived or objectively measured.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior/statistics & numerical data
Service quality in health care setting

Rashid WE, Jusoff HK

Int J Health Care Qual Assur, 2009;22(5):471-82.
PMID: 19725368

This paper attempts to explore the concept of service quality in a health care setting.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior/statistics & numerical data*
Antioxidative properties of Murraya koenigii leaf extracts in accelerated oxidation and deep-frying studies

Nor FM, Suhaila M, Aini IN, Razali I

Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2009;60 Suppl 2:1-11.
PMID: 19488917 DOI: 10.1080/09637480802158168

Murraya koenigii leaf extract antioxidant potentials were evaluated in palm olein using accelerated oxidation storage and deep-frying studies at 180 degrees C for up to 40 h. The extracts (0.2%) retarded oil oxidation and deterioration significantly (P<0.05), slightly less effectively than 0.02% butylated hydroxytoluene in tests such as the peroxide value, anisidine value, iodine value, free fatty acid, Oxidative Stability Index, and polar and polymer compound content. Sensory evaluation on French fries indicated that the extract was useful in improving colour, flavour and overall acceptability and the quality of the fried product. All samples were more acceptable by panellists, especially after the 40th hour frying, compared with those similarly fried in the control oils and the oil containing butylated hydroxytoluene. M. koenigii leaf extract, had a polyphenol content of 109.5+/-0.3 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract, and contain a heat-stable antioxidant that could be a natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants for the industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior

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