DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: All inpatient referrals to the CLiP team were recorded over a three-month period and compared to previous audit data from 2017. Four audit standards were assessed: the reporting of referrals, timeliness of response indication of reason for referral and presence of a management plan.
FINDINGS: The compliance of reporting using the CLiP form was 70.1 per cent compared to 28 per cent in the audit data from 2017 after interventions were conducted. Analysis of the completed CLiP form reveals that 89 per cent of referrals were seen within the same working day. All referrals included the reason for referral. The most common reason for referral was for depressive disorders, but post-assessment, delirium was the most common diagnosis. In total, 87.8 per cent satisfied the audit criteria for a completed written care plan.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Specialised CLiP services are relatively new in Malaysia and this is the first paper to examine the quality of such services in the country. Interventions were effective in improving the compliance of reporting using the CLiP database. The findings suggest that the CLiP services are on par with international audit standards. Furthermore, data from this clinical audit can serve as a benchmark for the development of national operating policies in similar settings.
METHODS: Children with treatment-resistant constipation presenting to a tertiary hospital had gastrointestinal nuclear transit study (NTS) showing normal proximal colonic transit and anorectal holdup of tracer. TES was administered at home (1 hour/day for 3 months) using a battery-powered interferential stimulator, with four adhesive electrodes (4 × 4 cm) connected so currents cross within the lower abdomen at the level of S2-S4. Stimulation was added to existing laxatives. Daily continence diary, and quality-of-life questionnaires (PedsQL4.0) were compared before and after TES.
RESULTS: Ten children (4 females: 5-10 years, mean 8 years) had holdup in the anorectum by NTS. Nine had <3 bowel motions (BM)/week. After three months TES, defecation frequency increased in 9/10 (mean 0.9-4.1 BM/week, p = 0.004), with 6/9 improved to ≥3 BM/week. Soiling reduced in 9/10 from 5.9 to 1.9 days/week with soiling, p = 0.004. Ten were on laxatives, and nine reduced/stopped laxative use. Quality-of-life improved to within the normal range.
CONCLUSION: TES improved symptoms of constipation in >50% of children with treatment-resistant constipation with isolated holdup in the anorectum. Further studies (RCTs) are warranted in these children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six participants with SCI were recruited for a pilot study to investigate the exercise intensity of selected exergames (Move Tennis, Move Boxing, and Move Gladiator Duel) for the potential to improve health. Issues relating to exergaming for individuals with SCI were identified, and a Move Kayaking exergame was conceived using relevant design processes in an iterative manner. These processes included the following: participant needs and requirements, system requirements (hardware), system architecture (physical and operational views), and integration and verification of the finished system. Emphasis was given to operational and physical designs of the Move Kayaking exergame.
RESULTS: Move Boxing, Move Gladiator Duel, and Move Kayaking achieved moderate intensity exercise, while Move Tennis only achieved exercise of low intensity based on participants' metabolic equivalent. However, all four exergames achieved at least moderate intensity based on individuals' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).
CONCLUSION: The intensity classification while playing Move Boxing, Move Tennis, Move Gladiator Duel, and Move Kayaking, using RPE, reported adequate exercise intensities prescribed by exercise guidelines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search identified pre-existing measures and models for the assessment of attitudes in healthcare students. Adaptation of three pre-existing scales was undertaken, and a new scale was developed based upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) using an elicitation survey. These scales underwent a process of content validation. The three adapted scales and the TPB scale were piloted by 130 students at 5 different professional stages, from 4 different countries.
RESULTS: The scales were adjusted to ensure good internal reliability, variance, distribution, and face and content validity. In addition, the different scales showed good divergent validity.
DISCUSSION: These results are positive, and the scales now need to be validated in the field.
CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that these tools will be useful to educators in SCD to evaluate the impact of teaching and clinical exposure on their students.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the accessibility of malignant SPNs in all segments of the lungs using either the 0.6mm or 1.4 mm probe and to assess the quality and inter observer interpretation of SPN confocal imaging obtained from either miniprobes.
METHODS: Radial(r)-EBUS was used to locate and sample the SPN. In-vivo pCLE analysis of the SPN was performed using either CholangioFlex (apical and posterior segments of the upper lobes) or AlveoFlex (other segments) introduced into the guide sheath before sampling. pCLE features were compared between the two probes.
RESULTS: Fourty-eight patients with malignant SPN were included (NCT01931579). The diagnostic accuracy for lung cancer using r-EBUS coupled with pCLE imaging was 79.2%. All the SPNs were successfully explored with either one of the probes (19 and 29 subjects for CholangioFlex and AlveoFlex, respectively). A specific solid pattern in the SPN was found in 30 pCLE explorations. Comparison between the two probes found no differences in the axial fibers thickness, cell size and specific solid pattern in the nodules. Extra-alveolar microvessel size appeared larger using CholangioFlex suggesting less compression effect. The kappa test for interobserver agreement for the identification of solid pattern was 0.74 (p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that pCLE imaging of SPNs is achievable in all segments of both lungs using either the 0.6mm or 1.4mm miniprobe.
METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot survey (Pakistan, Morocco, Nigeria, Malaysia) of health professionals' working in rehabilitation in hospital and community settings. A situational-analysis survey captured assessment of clinical skills required in various rehabilitation settings. Responses were coded in a line-by-line process, and linked to categories in domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
RESULTS: Respondents (n = 532) from Pakistan 248, Nigeria 159, Morocco 93 and Malaysia 32 included the following: physiotherapists (52.8%), nurses (8.8%), speech (5.3%) and occupational therapists (8.5%), rehabilitation physicians (3.8%), other doctors (5.5%) and prosthetist/orthotists (1.5%). The 10 commonly used clinical skills reported were prescription of: physical activity, medications, transfer-techniques, daily-living activities, patient/carer education, diagnosis/screening, behaviour/cognitive interventions, comprehensive patient-care, referrals, assessments and collaboration. There was significant overlap in skills listed irrespective of profession. Most responses linked with ICF categories in activities/participation and personal factors.
CONCLUSION: The core skills identified reflect general rehabilitation practice and a task-shifting approach, to address shortages of health workers in low-and middle-income countries.