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Fulltext Physician's intention to initiate health check-up discussions with men: a qualitative study

Tong SF, Low WY, Ismail SB, Trevena L, Willcock S

Fam Pract, 2011 Jun;28(3):307-16.
PMID: 21115986 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmq101

BACKGROUND: Although prevalent in primary care settings, men's health issues are rarely discussed. Yet, primary care doctors (PCDs) are well positioned to offer health check-ups during consultations.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a substantive theory to explain the process of decision making by which PCDs engage men in discussing health check-ups.
METHODS: Grounded theory method was adopted. Data source was from 14 in-depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions conducted with a semi-structured guide. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Initial open coding captured the concepts of processes from the data, followed by selective and theoretical coding to saturate the core category. Constant comparative method was used throughout the process to allow emergence of the theory.
RESULTS: Fifty-two PCDs from private and public settings were interviewed. PCDs engaged male patients in health check-ups when they associated high medical importance with the relevant issues. The decision to engage men also depended on perceived chances of success in negotiations about health check-ups. A high chance of success, associated with minimal negotiation effort, is associated with men being most receptive to health check-ups. When doctors feel the importance of a particular health issue, they place less emphasis on their perceived men's receptivity to discuss that health issue in their intention to engage them in discussing it.
CONCLUSIONS: Engaging male patients in appropriate health check-up activities requires a series of actions and decisions by the PCDs. The decision to engage the patient depends on the perceived balance between the receptivity of male patients and the medical importance of the issues in mind.
A grounded theory research protocol on an attempt to practice interprofessional collaborative care by a primary care clinic health professional fresh graduate in diabetes care

Num KSF, Aizuddin AN, Tong SF, Mohamed Said MS

Front Med (Lausanne), 2023;10:1133948.
PMID: 37601799 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1133948

Interprofessional collaborative care (IPCC) can improve the quality of care in patients with chronic diseases in primary care settings. In Malaysia, many medical and healthcare universities have adopted the concept of the interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) framework by the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented interprofessional learning (IPL) in their curriculum to prepare fresh graduates for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in the health workforce albeit in various degrees. However, there are potential challenges in putting what they have learned into practice, especially in managing chronic diseases due to the complexity of behavior changes required. Diabetes care is a classic example of such chronic disease management. This article presents a qualitative research protocol exploring the processes and challenges of fresh graduates attempting to practice IPC when managing diabetes mellitus (DM) in primary care clinics. A grounded theory (GT) approach will be adopted.
Fulltext Stroke thrombolysis in a middle-income country: A case study exploring the determinants of its implementation

Hwong WY, Ng SW, Tong SF, Ab Rahman N, Law WC, Kaman Z, et al.

Front Neurol, 2022;13:1048807.
PMID: 36504666 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1048807

INTRODUCTION: Translation of evidence into clinical practice for use of intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke care has been slow, especially across low- and middle-income countries. In Malaysia where the average national uptake was poor among the public hospitals in 2018, one hospital intriguingly showed comparable thrombolysis rates to high-income countries. This study aimed to explore and provide in-depth understanding of factors and explanations for the high rates of intravenous stroke thrombolysis in this hospital.
METHODS: This single case study sourced data using a multimethod approach: (1) semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, (2) surveys, and (3) review of medical records. The Tailored Implementation of Chronic Diseases (TICD) framework was used as a guide to understand the determinants of implementation. Twenty-nine participants comprising the Hospital Director, neurologists, emergency physicians, radiologists, pharmacists, nurses and medical assistants (MAs) were included. Thematic analyses were conducted inductively before triangulated with quantitative analyses and document reviews.
RESULTS: Favorable factors contributing to the uptake included: (1) cohesiveness of team members which comprised of positive interprofessional team dynamics, shared personal beliefs and values, and passionate leadership, and (2) facilitative work process through simplification of workflow and understanding the rationale of the sense of urgency. Patient factors was a limiting factor. Almost two third of ischemic stroke patients arrived at the hospital outside the therapeutic window time, attributing patients' delayed presentation as a main barrier to the uptake of intravenous stroke thrombolysis. One other barrier was the availability of resources, although this was innovatively optimized to minimize its impact on the uptake of the therapy. As such, potential in-hospital delays accounted for only 3.8% of patients who missed the opportunity to receive thrombolysis.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the ongoing challenges, the success in implementing intravenous stroke thrombolysis as standard of care was attributed to the cohesiveness of team members and having facilitative work processes. For countries of similar settings, plans to improve the uptake of intravenous stroke thrombolysis should consider the inclusion of interventions targeting on these modifiable factors.
Fulltext Factors Influencing Professional Help-Seeking Behavior During First Episode Psychosis in Schizophrenia: An Exploratory Study on Caregivers' Perspective

Wong DTL, Tong SF, Daud TIM, Aziz SA, Midin M

Front Psychiatry, 2019;10:962.
PMID: 32116809 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00962

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that leads to significant productivity loss and is listed in the top 15 global burdens of disease. One important contributor to the high disease burden is duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) which can be shortened with promotion of professional help-seeking behavior. This study explored caregivers' perspective on factors influencing professional help-seeking behavior during first episode psychosis (FEP) in schizophrenia in Malaysia. The results of this study would inform the development of intervention strategies targeted at promoting professional help-seeking behavior in caregivers of individuals experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP). This is a thematic exploratory study which employed purposive sampling using focus group discussion (FGD). These interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Basic thematic approach was used in analyzing the transcribed interviews. Two main themes identified were adequacy of knowledge and stigma. These two factors were found to co-influence each other. Stigma undermined the impact of knowledge on professional help-seeking; likewise, the reverse was also observed. Intervention strategies for promoting help-seeking behavior during FEP should simultaneously focus on improving knowledge about schizophrenia and reducing the stigma attached to it.
Fulltext Exploring Malaysian parents' and teachers' cultural conceptualization of adolescent social and emotional competencies: A qualitative formative study

Abd Hadi NH, Midin M, Tong SF, Chan LF, Mohd Salleh Sahimi H, Ahmad Badayai AR, et al.

Front Public Health, 2023;11:992863.
PMID: 37033063 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.992863

INTRODUCTION: Global implementation of social and emotional learning (SEL) has been suggested to incorporate a systematic cultural adaptation process which relies on ground-up empirical data of a target cultural group in tailoring a culturally sensitive SEL intervention. Preliminary formative studies among local parents and educators were done to explore the conceptualization of social and emotional competencies (SECs) in various cultural settings, such as the continent of Africa and among the indigenous and refugee groups. Unfortunately, little scholarship has been devoted to studying the SEL adaptation process in Southeast Asian regions. This formative study aimed to explore Malaysian parents' and teachers' cultural conceptualization of adolescent SECs.
METHODS: This qualitative study interviewed 12 Malaysian parents and 10 Malaysian teachers comprising of Malay (82%), Chinese (9%) and Indian (9%) races in an online focus group discussion. Sampling is purposive to parents of adolescents and teachers at secondary school only. Data were analyzed thematically to determine the culturally sensitive SEL constructs for Malaysian adolescents.
RESULTS: All themes and sub-themes of SEC regarded as crucial for Malaysian adolescents are aligned with CASEL's five domains of competencies. Our findings extended the conceptualization of subskills under CASEL's relationship skills and responsible decision-making domains, which reflect Asian cultural values. The main themes of social competency: (a) preserving interpersonal relationships, (b) utilizing intrapersonal skills, and (c) communicating effectively, are shared with the established CASEL constructs. However, the underlying subthemes denote the unique cultural manifestation of social competency in Malaysia. Two of the emotional competency themes represent the established CASEL constructs: (a) practicing self-regulation, (b) demonstrating help-seeking behavior, and the other two themes signify Asian values: (c) upholding altruism, and (d) maintaining cultural display rules.
DISCUSSIONS: This formative study revealed the habitual use of experiential and expressive suppressions as adaptive emotion regulation strategies in Malaysian collectivist culture and offered a potential alternative emotion regulation pathway suitable for Malaysian adolescents. It also informed the feasibility of implementing SEL modules developed based on the CASEL framework in Malaysia and suggested two key lessons to enhance the cultural sensitivity of SEL in Malaysia: effective, respectful communication and expressive writing.
Fulltext Perception of the Movement Control Order during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in Malaysia

Tay YL, Abdullah Z, Chelladorai K, Low LL, Tong SF

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 08 20;18(16).
PMID: 34444527 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168778

Malaysia implemented its first Movement Control Order (MCO) during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to slow the transmission of the virus. This study aimed to explore the public perception of the MCO implementation and people's experiences during this period. The study employed qualitative explorative in-depth interviews conducted with 23 Malaysian adults from various demographic backgrounds. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 12. Three main themes were identified: a period of information surge, heterogeneous emotional response, and attempts to adapt. During the MCO, the participants obtained information from multiple platforms. They suggested the need for clear and repeated instructions to avoid confusion and misinformation. They also acknowledged the importance of the MCO in breaking the chain of transmission and safeguarding high-risk groups; however, they also expressed that stricter enforcement from the authorities was warranted. The changes in the participants' work-life routines, lack of physical interaction, and uncertainty about their health and the economy due to the MCO negatively impacted their psychological states. Despite these challenges, the participants attempted to adapt to life under the MCO in different ways. The findings imply that during a crisis, the public tends to seek clear and reliable information, experience emotional turmoil, and adapt to changes. The MCO implementation can be improved through an effective communication strategy and efforts to battle misinformation.
Fulltext Managing the aging man in Asia: a review

Tong SF, Ho C, Tan HM

Int J Urol, 2011 Jan;18(1):32-42.
PMID: 20969645 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2010.02652.x

The aging man is becoming a major burden to Asian countries because of the current poor health status of Asian men and the aging Asian population. Life expectancy at birth for men is shorter than women by an average of 4 years in Asian countries and major causes of death are cardiovascular disease, cancers, injuries and infections. However, there are considerable variations between Asian countries because of great disparity in socioeconomic status. Male-specific disorders, such as male sexual health and urological conditions, are other major health burdens because they have a great impact on men's quality of life. More importantly, many risk factors to the causes of mortality and morbidities, such as high-risk behavior and smoking, can be improved with health promotion and early intervention. The current evidence suggests that the poor health status of men is the result of their poor health care utilization, negative health-seeking behavior, the adverse social environment for men and gender-insensitive health care delivery. However, much evidence is still needed as Asian countries have great diversity in culture, societal values and men's needs. Asian time-tested wisdom on a balanced healthy lifestyle to longevity should be explored as potential men's health promotional programs. Taking into account Asian men's health-care needs, a gender-streamlined approach and man-friendly health care delivery should be on the national agenda in managing the aging man.
Risk-taking in consumers' online purchases of health supplements and natural products: a grounded theory approach

Ang JY, Ooi GS, Abd Aziz F, Tong SF

J Pharm Policy Pract, 2023 Nov 03;16(1):134.
PMID: 37924079 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00645-x

BACKGROUND: Health supplements and natural products are widely used by the general public to support physical function and prevent disease. Additionally, with the advent of e-commerce, these products have become easily accessible to the general public. Although several theoretical models have been used to explain the use of health supplements and natural products, empirical evidence on how consumers make decisions to purchase online health supplements and natural products remains limited.
METHODS: In this study, a grounded theory approach was used to develop a substantive theoretical model with the aim of investigating the decision-making process of consumers when purchasing health supplements and natural products online. Malaysian adult consumers who had purchased these products via the Internet were either purposively or theoretically sampled. A total of 18 virtual in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted to elicit participants' experiences and priorities in relation to this activity. All the IDIs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using open coding, focus coding and theoretical coding. The analytical interpretations and theoretical concepts were recorded in research memos.
RESULTS: Consumers' decisions to purchase a health supplement or natural product over the Internet are based on a series of assessments regarding the perceived benefits and risks of this activity, which may be related to the product or the process. In the online marketplace, consumers attempt to choose products, online sellers, sales platforms and/or purchase mechanisms with lower perceived risk, which ultimately enhances their confidence in five elements related to the purchase: (1) product effectiveness, (2) product safety, (3) purchase convenience, (4) fair purchase and (5) online security. Consumers take an acceptable level of risk to purchase these products online, and this acceptable level is unique to each individual and is based on their perception of having control over the potential consequences if the worst-case scenario occurs.
CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a substantive theoretical model is developed to demonstrate how consumers decide to purchase online health supplements and natural products by accepting an acceptable level of risk associated with the product or process. The emerging model is potentially transferable to other populations in similar contexts.
Fulltext The accuracy of mother's touch to detect fever in children: a systematic review

Teng CL, Ng CJ, Hanafi NS, Zailinawati AH, Tong SF

J Trop Pediatr, 2008 Feb;54(1):70-3.
PMID: 18039678 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmm077

Universally, mothers often use touching to detect fever in their children. We perform a systematic review of published diagnostic studies evaluating the ability of mothers to detect fever in their children by touching. We found 10 studies satisfying our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed a summary sensitivity of 89.2% and summary specificity of 50%-maternal touch is perhaps more useful to exclude fever rather than to 'rule in' fever. However, due to significant heterogeneity in the included studies, interpretation of the summary data is difficult.
Fulltext Aging male symptoms scale (AMS) for health-related quality of life in aging men: translation and adaptation in Malay

Tan HM, Low WY, Tong SF, Hanif J, Appannah G, Lee VKM, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2015;15(2):17-23.
MyJurnal

The Aging Male Symptoms Scale (AMS) measures health-related quality of life in aging men. The objective of this paper is to describe the translation and validation of the AMS into Bahasa Melayu (BM). The original English version of the AMS was translated into BM by 2 translators to produce BM1 and BM2, and subsequently harmonized to produce BM3. Two other independent translators, blinded to the English version, back-translated BM3 to yield E2 and E3. All versions (BM1, BM2, BM3, E2, E3) were compared with the English version. The BM pre-final version was produced, and pre-tested in 8 participants. Proportion Agreement, Weighted Kappa, Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient, and verbatim responses were used. The English and the BM versions showed excellent equivalence (weighted Kappa and Spearman Rank Coefficients, ranged from 0.72 to 1.00, and Proportion Agreement values ranged from 75.0% to 100%). In conclusion, the BM version of the AMS was successfully translated and adapted.
Fulltext A comparison of morbidity patterns in public and private primary care clinics in malaysia

Mimi O, Tong SF, Nordin S, Teng CL, Khoo EM, Abdul-Rahman A, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2011;6(1):19-25.
PMID: 25606215 MyJurnal

OBJECTIVES: To compare the morbidity patterns in public and private primary care clinics; determine patients' reasons for encounter (RFE) and diagnoses using the ICPC-2, and compare ten commonest diagnoses and RFEs.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study on randomly selected clinics was conducted nationwide. Doctors completed the Patient Encounter Record (PER) for systematically selected encounters for a week.
RESULTS: Response rate was 82.0% (public clinic) and 33% (private clinic) with 4262 encounters and 7280 RFE. Overall, the three commonest disease categories encountered were respiratory (37.2%), general and unspecified (29.5%), and cardiovascular diseases (22.2%). Public and private clinics handled 27% versus 50% acute cases and 20.0% versus 3.1% chronic cases i.e. 33.7 and 5.6 chronic diseases per 100 RFE respectively.
CONCLUSION: Doctors in public clinics saw more chronic and complex diseases as well as pregnancy related complaints and follow-up cases while in private clinics more acute and minor illnesses were seen. Health services should be integrated and support given to co-manage chronic diseases in both sectors.
KEYWORDS: Malaysia; Primary practice; delivery of health care; morbidity pattern; reasons for encounter
Fulltext A young man with loin pain

Tong SF

Malays Fam Physician, 2007;2(3):127-8.
PMID: 25606101 MyJurnal
Fulltext A patient who refused medical advice: the doctor and the patient should look for a common ground

Tong SF, Chen R

Malays Fam Physician, 2007;2(3):110-3.
PMID: 25606096 MyJurnal

Treatment refusal is a common encounter in clinical practice. The process of deciding to refuse treatment is often complex. It is our responsibility to try and understand this process of decision making and the underlying reasons for treatment refusal. Many of these reasons are often rational in the context where the decision is made. The patients could be making the best decision for themselves even if these decisions are not necessarily the best in our mind. We should at all times discuss our treatment options and assess their ability to make decisions in achieving common goals. These goals should balance our best treatment strategies and the patients' best interest. This article discusses the reasons underlying treatment refusal and how we can achieve a common goal with our patients.
Fulltext Clinical features of acute febrile thrombocytopaenia among patients attending primary care clinics

Tong SF, Abd Aziz NA, Chin GL, Khairani O

Malays Fam Physician, 2006;1(1):15-8.
PMID: 26998201 MyJurnal

Identifying clinical features that differentiate acute febrile thrombocytopaenia from acute febrile illness without thrombocytopaenia can help primary care physician to decide whether to order a full blood count (FBC). This is important because thrombocytopaenia in viral fever may signify more serious underlying aetiology like dengue infection.
Fulltext A case of tubal ectopic pregnancy

Muthupalaniappen L, Tong SF, Hazizi H, Hamidon AH

Malays Fam Physician, 2006;1(1):25-6.
PMID: 26998206 MyJurnal

A healthy 27 year old Para 3 presenting with abnormal menstruation without a period of amenorrhoea was diagnosed to have left tubal ectopic pregnancy after vaginal examination and abdominal ultrasonography. The case illustrates the need for careful history taking and the need for considering ectopic pregnancy in women in the reproductive age group, who have abnormal menstruation even if they are on contraception.
Fulltext Poor blood pressure control and its associated factors among older people with hypertension: A cross-sectional study in six public primary care clinics in Malaysia

Cheong AT, Sazlina SG, Tong SF, Azah AS, Salmiah S

Malays Fam Physician, 2015;10(1):19-25.
PMID: 26425291 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is highly prevalent in the older people. Chronic disease care is a major burden in the public primary care clinics in Malaysia. Good blood pressure (BP) control is needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to determine the status of BP control and its associated factors among older people with hypertension in public primary care clinics.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on hypertensive patients aged 18 years and above was conducted in six public primary care clinics in Federal Territory, Malaysia. A total of 1107 patients were selected via systematic random sampling. Data from 441 (39.8%) patients aged 60 years and more were used in this analysis. BP control was determined from the average of two BP readings measured twice at an interval of 5 min. For patients without diabetes, poor BP control was defined as BP of ≥140/90 mm Hg and ≥150/90 for the patients aged 80 years and more. For patients with diabetes, poor control was defined as BP of ≥140/80 mm Hg.
RESULTS: A total of 51.7% (n = 228) of older patients had poor BP control. The factors associated with BP control were education level (p = 0.003), presence of comorbidities (p = 0.015), number of antihypertensive agents (p = 0.001) and number of total medications used (p = 0.002). Patients with lower education (less than secondary education) (OR = 1.7, p = 0.008) and the use of three or more antihypertensive agents (OR = 2.0, p = 0.020) were associated with poor BP control.
CONCLUSION: Among older people with hypertension, those having lower education level, or using three or more antihypertensive agents would require more attention on their BP control.
Fulltext The roles of men in family planning - a study of married men at the UKM primary care clinic

Ling JES, Tong SF

Malays Fam Physician, 2017;12(1):2-13.
PMID: 28503268

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, family planning initiatives were concentrated on women despite it being a family matter. As family dynamics evolved over the years, fathers' involvement in family planning has become crucial in enhancing the family well-being.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the role played by men in family planning activities and the association of socio-economic characteristics with these roles.
METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a university primary care clinic. All married male attendees to the clinic, aged 50 years and below, were approached to answer a set of self-administered questionnaires, asking for their involvement in family planning practices. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
RESULTS: There were 167 participants in the study. A high proportion of men participated in the discussions regarding previous pregnancies (60.42%), future child planning (89.76%) and desired family size (89.76%). However, the discussions on the usage of family planning methods (FPMs; 39.16%) were significantly low. Socio-economic factors associated with higher likelihood of men discussing family planning activities were older age (p < 0.0), higher education level (p = 0.010), higher monthly income (p < 0.001) and longer duration of marriage (p = 0.0049).
CONCLUSIONS: The level of participation of men varied in the discussions of four family planning activities. The roles taken by men in family planning were associated with older age and higher socio-economic class. The majority of men needs to be encouraged to play a more active role in the discussion of FPMs.
Rightful place of qualitative research in family medicine and healthcare

Tong SF, Tan CE

Malays Fam Physician, 2022 Nov 30;17(3):2-8.
PMID: 36606174 DOI: 10.51866/cm0004

Evidence-based medicine is the foundation of current medical practice. Suitable evidence is needed to support the holistic approach in clinical practice. Quantitative research produces some evidence needed for disease treatment based on probabilities or averages. However, the practice of evidence-based medicine should be personalised to individual patients without relying solely on an average perspective. Beliefs, values and expectations are unique for each individual and may differ significantly from the average. Therefore, understanding individual differences requires evidence from qualitative research. This is particularly important in family medicine practice, which focuses on holistic care for the person, family and community. Findings from properly conducted qualitative research can offer in-depth and comprehensive accounts on healthcare issues from patient and practice perspectives. Qualitative research also provides explanatory power and analytical transferability, which can be applied into daily family medicine practice. In conclusion, evidence from qualitative research should be rightfully equally acknowledged in family medicine and healthcare.
Fulltext Treatment outcomes of extended versus nonextended intensive phase in pulmonary tuberculosis smear positive patients with delayed sputum smear conversion: A retrospective cohort study at primary care clinics in Kota Kinabalu

Atiqah A, Tong SF, Nadirah S

Malays Fam Physician, 2023;18:2.
PMID: 36969335 DOI: 10.51866/oa.191

INTRODUCTION: Delayed sputum smear conversion in patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis is a crucial problem at primary care clinics in Sabah resulting in poor treatment outcomes. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between extended and nonextended intensive phase treatments among patients with delayed sputum smear conversion and to identify the factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes.
METHOD: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a Malaysian tuberculosis registry, medical records and clinic referral emails from five primary care clinics in Kota Kinabalu from January 2014 to December 2018. A total of 163 patients with delayed sputum smear conversion were selected and divided into cohort groups: 90 patients received 3 months of intensive phase treatment (extended intensive phase), and 73 patients received 2 months of intensive phase treatment (non-extended intensive phase).
RESULTS: Of the 163 patients, 33.7% had unsuccessful treatment outcomes (25.2% had treatment failure; 0.6% died; 3.7% defaulted; and 4.3% transferred out), and 3.7% had relapse. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of unsuccessful treatment outcomes (37.6% vs 28.6%, OR=1.51, CI=0.77-2.94, P=0.226) and relapse (2.2% vs 5.7%, 0R=0.36, CI=0.65-2.04, P=0.404) between the extended and non-extended intensive phase groups. High sputum acid-fast bacilli grade (AFB) at 2 months, drug resistance and lack of directly observed treatment, short-course supervision (DOTS) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Extended intensive phase treatment in patients with delayed sputum smear conversion does not prevent unsuccessful treatment outcomes and relapse.
Fulltext Comprehensive Healthcare module: medical and pharmacy students' shared learning experiences

Tan CE, Jaffar A, Tong SF, Hamzah MS, Mohamad N

Med Educ Online, 2014 Jan;19(1):25605.
PMID: 28440130 DOI: 10.3402/meo.v19.25605

Introduction The Comprehensive Healthcare (CHC) module was developed to introduce pre-clinical medical and pharmacy students to the concept of comprehensive healthcare. This study aims to explore their shared learning experiences within this module. Methodology During this module, medical and pharmacy students conducted visits to patients' homes and to related community-based organisations in small groups. They were required to write a reflective journal on their experiences regarding working with other professions as part of their module assessment. Highly scored reflective journals written by students from the 2011/2012 academic session were selected for analysis. Their shared learning experiences were identified via thematic analysis. We also analysed students' feedback regarding the module. Results Analysis of 25 selected reflective journals revealed several important themes: 'Understanding of impact of illness and its relation to holistic care', 'Awareness of the role of various healthcare professions' and 'Generic or soft skills for inter-professional collaboration'. Although the primary objective of the module was to expose students to comprehensive healthcare, the students learnt skills required for future collaborative practice from their experiences. Discussion The CHC module provided early clinical exposure to community-based health issues and incorporated some elements of inter-professional education. The students learnt about the roles of other healthcare professions and acquired soft skills required for future collaborative practice during this module.

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