Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 36 in total

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  1. Ahmad Hassali MA, Awaisu A, Shafie AA, Saeed MS
    Malays Fam Physician, 2009;4(2-3):71-6.
    PMID: 25606167 MyJurnal
    AIM: This pilot study aimed to explore the perceptions of general medical practitioners (GPs) towards the professional training and roles of community pharmacists.
    METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all private clinics (n=160) run by GPs in a northern state of Malaysia. The instrument contained questions to evaluate the practitioners' level of agreement using a 5-point Likert-type scale.
    RESULTS: Of 160 GPs, 80 returned the questionnaire (response rate 50%). The respondents agreed that: GPs should consider the community pharmacists' recommendations whenever there is/are any problem(s) with the prescriptions given by them (46.3%); community pharmacists are the best healthcare professionals to educate patients about safe and appropriate use of medications (52.5%); the pharmacy profession had undergone a major metamorphosis from a product-oriented profession to a more patient-centred and outcome-oriented one (61.3%); if dispensing separation is implemented, they will work closely with the community pharmacists in monitoring patients' pharmacotherapeutic outcomes (77.5%).
    CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest that GPs would support an extension of the role of the community pharmacists in number of activities of patient care activities such as medication counselling. Thus, suggesting potential collaborative care between GPs and community pharmacists towards patient care and the needs to develop and incorporate topics on inter-professional relationship in the current medical and pharmaceutical education curriculums.
    KEYWORDS: Community pharmacists; general practitioners; perceptions; roles; training
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  2. Arshad, A., Rashid, R.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Primary care management of knee osteoarthritis OA has received little attention in the scientific literature and the main reason of this survey is to study and explore the variations and patterns of primary care management and assess both conventional and complementary therapy usage in knee OA in the primary care setting. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey of 100 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs) in the northern states of Malaysia (Kedah, Perlis, Pulau Pinang) was undertaken using questionnaires. The GPs involved were asked about basic knowledge of OA in terms of diagnosis, investigation, and treatment of OA. They were also asked their usage of conventional and complementary medication. Results: 80 (80%) GPs responded to the questionnaires sent. 85% of GPs were in solo practice and 15% in group practice. Most of the GPs surveyed (69%) were in practice for more than 10 years, 21% in 5- 10 years and 10% were in practice for less than 5 years. 65% GPs surveyed see an average of more than 20 patients per week, 25% see about 10- 20 patients and 10% see less than 10 patients per week. 75% of GPs surveyed would arrange an X-ray. 65% of GPs surveyed will arrange a blood test, mostly serum uric acid, rheumatoid factor and ESR. Pharmacological management consists of first line treatment with analgesics (32%), NSAIDs (59%) or a combination of the two (4%). Non-pharmacological management consist of advise an exercise (37%), weight reduction (23%) and referral to physiotherapy (8%). 89% of GPs surveyed prescribed some form of complementary medications. 68% prescribed glucosamine sulphate, 29% chondroitin sulphate, 18% cod liver oil, 12% evening primrose oil. Only 5% of GPs surveyed perform intra- articular injection. Conclusion: The data suggest that in the primary care, majority of GP over investigate the diagnosis of OA. Pharmacological interventions largely concentrate on analgesic and NSAIDs. The use of physiotherapy and non drug approach were enormously under-utilized. There is a need to further educate GPs in the management of OA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  3. Azam Rahim, Maimaiti, Namaitijiag, Abuduli, Maihebureti, Zafar Ahmed
    MyJurnal
    Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. It is estimated that around 300 million people in the world currently have asthma. The prevalence of asthma is increasing in most of countries, especially among children. The burden of severe asthma is considerable high in the Middle East courtiers including Iran. This study to investigate the effect of patients' knowledge about Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS), attitude and health beliefs toward ICS, and behavioral intention to adhere to prescribed ICS in adult asthmatic patients in Yazd city, Iran. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2008 to January 2009 in three private allergy and asthma clinics, located in Yazd city of Iran, using Structured face to face interviews using a questionnaire by the researcher. The results showed that the majority of patients (55.5%) were not adherent to their prescribed ICS. Patients’ knowledge toward ICS did not have effect on medication adherence behavior, while patients with positive attitude toward ICS were better adherent with their medication. Linear regression model identifies intention to comply with treatment and positive attitude toward ICS as predictors for adherence behavior. This study shows the relationship between medications beliefs, attitude, behavioral intention, and medication adherence. A better understanding of patient's medication beliefs, and attitude and their effect on compliance may help health care system to promote adherence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  4. Balasundaram R
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1970;64(4):607-14.
    PMID: 5485621 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(70)90085-4
    The pattern and incidence of cardiovascular disease was studied in a general practice in an urban-rural area in the west coast of West Malaysia. Hypertension, rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart disease accounted for 85% of the 476 patients with evidence of cardiovascular disease. Ischaemic heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease and other conditions accounted for the rest. Emphasis is laid on the salient features of incidence in general practice. Comparison is made with previous clinical and pathological studies from this region.
    Study site: General practjce clinic, Telok Anson [Teluk Intan], District of Lower Perak, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  5. Chan SC
    Family Physician, 2003;12(2&3):36-40.
    Between 2/10/2000 and 30/1/2001, the organizational structure and management in 4 general practice (GP) clinics & 2 health centers (HC) in Kinta District were studied by 14 Level 4 medical students of Perak College of Medicine. Data collected from work process files and staff interviews / shadowing showed that GPs in the study had more working experience with postgraduate qualifications than HC doctors. All HC nurses but only one GP clinic nurse had formal training. HC organization was more complex with documentation. GP organization was simple and lacked documentation. HC management was by a group while GPs handled all management aspects. This study enhanced students' understanding of Malaysian primary care system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  6. Chan, S.C., Teoh, L.C.
    MyJurnal
    The non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of the dengue viral genome has been found useful for diagnosis of acute dengue infections, being detected from one day and up to 18 days post onset of symptoms (1). Rapid Dengue NS1 antigen test was made available in commercial test kits for private clinics in Perak in 2014. This study aimed to determine the use usefulness of dengue NS1 test kits in suspected dengue cases in a general practice clinic in Perak and the period in which positive test results were obtained after the onset of symptoms. Clinic records of all suspected dengue cases seen in the ten months from October 2014 to July 2015 were traced. Patients’ demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms and the use of One Step Dengue NS1 Antigen test (Avo Diagnostics) were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Seventy one suspected dengue fever cases were seen in the study period, the highest number in July 2015 (25%). Majority were Chinese (80%), female (63%), and aged 40 years and above (51%). Most patients presented with fever (99%), body-ache (51%), gastrointestinal symptoms (51%) and headache (44%). Dengue NS1 antigen test was done in 94% of the suspected cases with 61% testing positive. The majority of the cases presenting one day to five days after onset of symptoms tested positive i.e. 59% (1 day), 90% (2 days), 54% (3-4 days) and 89% (5 days). Using dengue NS1 antigen test, positive results can be obtained as early as one day after the onset of symptoms. This test is a useful tool to aid primary care physicians detect dengue fever early.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  7. Chen WS, Wong CH, Cillekens L
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Mar;58(1):142-3.
    PMID: 14556343
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  8. Chen WS
    Family Physician, 2005;13:22-23.
    Study site: Private general practice, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  9. Chew SC
    Singapore Med J, 1988 Feb;29(1):28-9.
    PMID: 3406761
    The figures for abortions performed under The Abortion Act, 1974 of Singapore in a private clinic over a period of 20 months were studied. Overall, an alarming proportion of repeat abortions were found, and this was true for all age groups suggesting that abortions are being used as a regular method of family planning in Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  10. Chua WT
    Family Practitioner, 1985;8(2):57-62.
    One hundred and twenty-four women from a semi-urban area who came for consultation for unplanned pregnancy during an eight month period are analysed. It is found that women with a high risk of unplanned pregnancy are mostly housewives, aged between 20 and 34, who have given birth to one or three children, the last of whom is usually below one or two years old. They belong to the lower socio-economic class and are lowly-educated. Most of them have not completed their families. Although most of them have either used or heard of contraceptives begore, the majority were not using any contraceptive at the time of consultation or were using an ineffective method. Their reasons for non-use or default are identified, many of which are related to the pill. Proper motivation of would-be contraceptive receptors and regular follow-up of acceptors by general practitioners or Family Planning Clinic Staff who are knwoledgable in all available methods of contraception are offered as a solutionto the problem of high rate of defaulting and consequent high rate of unplanned pregnancies.
    Study site: private general practice clinic, Perak, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  11. Ding HJ, Chan SC
    Family Physician, 2003;12(2&3):25-29.
    The morbidity patterns and demographics of patients presenting to two government health centers and four private general practice clinics were studied over one week. Results showed little difference in the morbidity patterns but a significant difference in the demographics of the patients. The commonest illnesses seen were minor ones like upper respiratory tract infection and chronic ones like hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A wide spectrum of illnesses was seen in all the clinics. Both places handled few emergencies and referred only occasionally. There was an equal percentage of patients from both sexes. Ages of the patients varied from place to place and the racial distribution was influenced by several factors, including the existing patient population and the race of the doctor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  12. Hassali MA, Kamil TK, Md Yusof FA, Alrasheedy AA, Yusoff ZM, Saleem F, et al.
    Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2015 Apr;13(4):511-20.
    PMID: 25704246 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.1012497
    BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are widely prescribed especially for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Their irrational use can increase costs and resistance.
    AIM: Assess knowledge, attitude and prescribing of antibiotics for URTIs in Selangor, Malaysia, using a cross-sectional survey among general practitioners (GPs) working in private clinics in 2011.
    RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine physicians completed the questionnaire (response rate = 34.8%). 49.6% (n = 69) agreed antibiotics are helpful in treating URTIs, with most GPs agreeing antibiotics may reduce URTI duration and complications. The majority of GPs reported they felt patients expected antibiotics, with 36.7% (n = 51) agreeing patients would change doctors if they did not prescribe antibiotics and 21.6% (n = 30) agreeing when requested they prescribe antibiotics even if they believe them to be unnecessary. When assessed against six criteria, most GPs had a moderate level of knowledge of prescribing for URTIs. However, antibiotic prescriptions could be appreciably reduced.
    CONCLUSION: Further programs are needed to educate GPs and patients about antibiotics building on current initiatives.
    KEYWORDS: Malaysia; antibiotics; education programs; irrational use of medicines; patients; physicians; respiratory tract infections
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  13. Hisham R, Ng CJ, Liew SM, Hamzah N, Ho GJ
    BMJ Open, 2016 Mar 09;6(3):e010565.
    PMID: 26962037 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010565
    OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors, including barriers and facilitators, influencing the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) across various primary care settings in Malaysia based on the doctors' views and experiences.
    RESEARCH DESIGN: The qualitative study was used to answer the research question. 37 primary care physicians participated in six focus group discussions and six individual in-depth interviews. A semistructured topic guide was used to facilitate both the interviews and focus groups, which were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, checked and analysed using a thematic approach.
    PARTICIPANTS: 37 primary care doctors including medical officers, family medicine specialists, primary care lecturers and general practitioners with different working experiences and in different settings.
    SETTING: The study was conducted across three primary care settings-an academic primary care practice, private and public health clinics in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
    RESULTS: The doctors in this study were aware of the importance of EBM but seldom practised it. Three main factors influenced the implementation of EBM in the doctors' daily practice. First, there was a lack of knowledge and skills in searching for and applying evidence. Second, workplace culture influenced doctors' practice of EBM. Third, some doctors considered EBM as a threat to good clinical practice. They were concerned that rigid application of evidence compromised personalised patient care and felt that EBM did not consider the importance of clinical experience.
    CONCLUSIONS: Despite being aware of and having a positive attitude towards EBM, doctors in this study seldom practised EBM in their routine clinical practice. Besides commonly cited barriers such as having a heavy workload and lack of training, workplace 'EBM culture' had an important influence on the doctors' behaviour. Strategies targeting barriers at the practice level should be considered when implementing EBM in primary care.
    Study site: klinik kesihatan, general practice clinics, Klang Valley, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  14. Jamshed SQ, Ibrahim MI, Hassali MA, Masood I, Low BY, Shafie AA, et al.
    South Med Rev, 2012 Jul;5(1):22-30.
    PMID: 23093896
    OBJECTIVES: In developing countries out-of-pocket payments (OOP) are as high as 80% of healthcare spending. Generic medicines can be instrumental in reducing this expenditure. The current study is aimed to explore the knowledge, perception, and attitude of general practitioners towards generic medicines in Karachi, Pakistan.
    METHODS: This exploratory, descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 289 randomly selected general practitioners who were dispensing at their private clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. The questionnaires were distributed and collected by hand. Data was entered to SPSS version 17. Fischer's exact test was applied to see the association between variables.
    RESULTS: A total of 206 questionnaires were included in the study. A response rate of 71.3% was achieved. Out of 206 respondents, 139 (67.5%) were male while 67 (32.5%) respondents were female. Close to three quaters of the respondents (n= 148; 71.8%) showed correct knowledge about generic medicines being a 'copy of the brand name medicines' and 'interchangeable with brand name medicines' (n= 148; 71.8%). In terms of safety, the majority of respondents (n=85; 41.26%) incorrectly understood that the generic medicines are less safe than brand name medicines. The total percentage of correct responses was seen in 53% of the respondents. More than half of the respondents agreed that locally manufactured medicines are of the same effectiveness as brand name medicines (n=114; 55.4%). Male practitioners with practice experience of 11-15 years showed positive perception towards the quality of multinational products. The Majority of respondents believed that their prescribing decision is influenced by medical representatives (n=117; 56.8%). More than three-quarters of the respondents expressed their wish to prescribe low cost medicines in their practice (n=157; 76.2%). More than one third of the respondents expressed their uneasiness to prescribe products from all local manufacturers (n=72; 35%).
    CONCLUSION: There were gaps identified in the knowledge of respondents. Although good perception and attitude were noted among the respondents, dissemination of information regarding generic medicines may perhaps strengthen generic prescribing. There is a need to introduce 'Quality by Design' concept in local manufacturing units. This, in turn, can inculcate confidence in prescribers towards locally manufactured generic medicines.
    KEYWORDS: Karachi; Pakistan; attitude; dispensing doctor; general practitioner; generic medicines; perception
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  15. Kannan Kutty P, Pathmanathan G, Salleh NM
    Med J Malaysia, 2010 Jun;65(2):127-32.
    PMID: 23756797 MyJurnal
    Rotavirus vaccine is available as an optional vaccine in Malaysia. The counselling of optional vaccines is considered an integral part of the health services offered in a private paediatric clinic. While ensuring that all babies are up-todate with their compulsory immunization, counselling of optional vaccines like the rotavirus vaccine could give parents the choice to make an informed decision on the acceptance of this vaccine. Over a period of two years, we counselled the parents regarding diarrhoea caused by rotavirus disease and the rotavirus vaccine. In this study, the factors that were significantly associated with the acceptance of the rotavirus vaccine were the gender of the baby, the mother's age, the mother's occupation, the mode of payment for the vaccine, the number of previous visits to the clinic by the parents, the number of counselling sessions given to the parents and the pre-counselling awareness or knowledge of rotavirus disease and rotavirus vaccine. It is hoped that these findings may assist busy clinicians in their continuous efforts to provide health education and vaccination counselling to the parents of their patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  16. Koe, S.L., Puthucheary, S.D., Lam, S.K.
    MyJurnal
    The stools of 97 children with acute gastroenteritis, attending a private paediatric clinic, were studied for infectious agents. Putative pathogenic microorganisms were identified in 47 cases (48.5%). Food poisoning Salmonella was the most common bacteria detected, 25 cases (25.8%). Rotavirus was present in 9 cases (9.2%). Interview of the parents and care-persons revealed a general lack of knowledge in the proper cleaning and sterilisation of milk bottles, rubber teats and pacifiers. In 44 households there were at least one animal kept and there were positive bacterial isolates from 47% of such households. However, positive isolates were found in only 26% of households with no kept animals. The implications of these findings are discussed. (Copied from article).
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  17. Lam ES
    Family Practitioner, 1978;3(4):31-34.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  18. Lasimbang HB, Tha NO, Teo JBH, Amir LE
    MyJurnal
    Evidence-based data confirm the relationship between an increased availability of effective contraception and reduction in induced abortion rate. In Malaysia, the contraception prevalence rate in 1966 was 8.8 per cent to 52 per cent in 1984, but has levelled off since then. In recent years there has been increasing report of babies ‘abandonment’ in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to contraception among women and doctors in Kota Kinabalu the capital of Sabah, Malaysia. Descriptive and analytical community-based cross-sectional study was used. A total of 240 women and 60 doctors were selected from either private or public clinics. The instrument used was face-to-face interview for the women and self-administered questionnaires for doctors. Analysis was done using SPSS version 21. The doctors (80%) felt that contraception is extremely important, and routinely discuss (63%) with their patients. Oral contraceptive pill (97%) is the most common type of contraceptive available in their clinics. About 68% of doctors surprisingly cited that abstinence plays a major part in their contraceptive advice. The average correct answer by doctors on knowledge is 62%. The women surveyed (98.8%) have heard of contraception. The main reason for using is for spacing of pregnancy and many stopped or did not use because of fear of side effects. Women attending the public clinic appear to know more about female and male sterilization and intrauterine contraceptive device compared to those attending private clinic. Further research is needed to reinforce this study.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan (maternal and child health clinics), private general practitioner clinics. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  19. Liam CK, Pang YK, Chua KT
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2014 Jun;32(2):145-52.
    PMID: 25003728 DOI: 10.12932/AP0359.32.2.2013
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Malaysian patients' satisfaction levels and asthma control with Symbicort SMART® in the primary care setting.
    METHOD: This is a cross-sectional, multicentre study involving adult patients with persistent asthma who were prescribed only Symbicort SMART in the preceding one month prior to recruitment. Patients' satisfaction with Symbicort SMART and asthma control were evaluated using the self-administered Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire (SATQ) and the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
    RESULTS: Asthma was controlled (ACT score >20) in 189 (83%) of 228 patients. The mean overall SATQ score for patients with controlled asthma was 5.65 indicating a high satisfaction level, which was positively correlated with high ACT scores. There were differences in asthma control based on ethnicity, number of unscheduled visits and treatment compliance.
    CONCLUSIONS: Symbicort SMART resulted in a high satisfaction level and asthma control among Malaysian patients treated in the primary care setting and it is an effective and appealing treatment for asthmatic patients.
    Study site: General practice clinics, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
  20. Lim HB
    Med J Malaysia, 1984 Dec;39(4):272-4.
    PMID: 6400040
    Sixty patients with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis were treated with a single dose oral regime comprising 3 g of cefaclor and 1 g of probenecid. Forty-eight patients (80%) returned for follow-up and the overall cure rate among them was 91.6%. Among the isolates, 25 (41.7%) showed penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) strains. The cure rate for patients infected with PPNG was 85% while the cure rate for non-PPNG was 96.4%. Further work is required to establish the optimum dosage for this particular regimen.
    Matched MeSH terms: Private Facilities
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