Mixing research methods in health professional degrees: thoughts for undergraduate students and supervisors

This commentary considers some of the challenges of applying mixed methods research in undergraduate research degrees, especially in professions with a clinical health focus. Our experience in physiotherapy academia is used as an example. Mixed methods research is increasingly appreciated in its own right as a third paradigm, however the success of educating novice researchers in mixing methods requires reflection on a range of theoretical and practical issues. We explore some of the under-reported features of mixed methods on a theoretical level, including the use of terminology, and the challenge of research labels, and on a practical level, the benefits of including mixing methods in clinical research and the issue of appropriate examination. Key Words: Mixed Methods, Student Research, and Qualitative and Quantitative

Difference and Similarity of Continuous Assessment in Malaysian and Nigerian Universities

The study will clarify the Continous Assessment (C.A.) and also outlining the advantages and disadvantages of the Continous Assessment, categorization and problems of the Continous Assessment. The Malaysian system of curriculum according to OBE will be discussed. The history of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) curriculum will also be looked into. The characteristics and history of OBE also to be discussed. Its problem, weakness and benefits will also be analysed. The similarities and difference of the Continous Assessment in Nigerian and Malaysian Universities will be discussed. Also, what both countries can benefit from each other and improve is highlighted. Keywords: Continous Assessment (C.A.), Similarity and difference in CA, OBE, Advantages and Disadvantages of C.A., Nigeria, Malaysia

A Novel Approach to the Safe and Effective Mobilization of a Super-Obese Patient: A Case Report

Purpose: The incidence of obesity is rising worldwide, as is the presentation of these patients to the acute hospital setting. As a result of their complex nature, including medical co-morbidities, psychosocial issues, and healthcare resource limitations, management of these patients requires a coordinated and intensive multi-disciplinary approach. Although there are considerable data reporting the surgical management of obese patients, there is very limited literature regarding non-surgical interventions, including approaches to safe and effective mobilization. Methods: A case report is presented of a 55-year-old super-obese male transferred to a major tertiary referral healthcare centre for management of his overall medical condition and rehabilitation. As a result of the patient’s inability to tolerate the supine position because of central obesity, a novel approach to mobilization was undertaken whereby a bariatric tilt-table was used to facilitate standing and walking from the semi-prone position. This mobilization program was led by a physiotherapist with support and input from the multi-disciplinary team. Conclusion: It was safely and effectively implemented and enabled the patient to be discharged to his desired rural location

Female migration and employment : a case study in Kecamatan Pasar Rebo, Jakarta

The main purpose of this study is to examine female migration to Kecamatan Pasar Rebo (Pasar Rebo District) focussing on the characteristics, pattern, motivation, activity and occupation of female migrants in Pasar Rebo. In this study, tables relating to Pasar Rebo are based on the original analysis of a data tape obtained from the National Institute of Social and Economic Research, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LEKNAS-LIPl). The analysis i3 based on two samples, female migrant workers and housewcrkers. Within workers the main group analysed was female factory workers while other workers were analysed largely for comparison. In the analysis, factory workers were defined as including only the production and related workers in the factory, while higher position factory workers together with non-factory workers were classified as 'other workers'. The women who were classified as housewcrkers were women whose activity during the one week previous to interview was to maintain a household. The analysis of female migrants in Pasar Rebo included only life-time migrants, whose birth place was in other provinces of Jakarta

A World Beyond Trans-National Corporations: Meeting Human Rather Than Corporate Need; Comment on ""Part of the Solution:" Food Corporation Strategies for Regulatory Capture and Legitimacy"

Published November 2022This paper provides a commentary on Lacy-Nichols and Williams' analysis of the emerging tactics of the ultra-processed food Transnationals Corporations (TNCs). Our paper provides an overview of the growth in power and influence of TNCs in the past three decades and considers how this change impacts on health and health equity. We examine how wealth inequities have increased dramatically and how many of the health harms are externalised to governments or individuals. We argue that human interests and corporate interests differ. The article concludes with a consideration of alternative ways of organising an economy that are more human centred and health promoting. We suggest five changes are required: improved measurement of economic outputs beyond GDP; improved regulation of finance and TNCs; development of localised economic models including co-operatives; reversal of privatisations; making the reduction of economic inequalities a goal of financial policy. We consider the barriers to these changes happening.Fran Baum, Julia Ana

Anti-TNF-α treatment for deep endometriosis-associated pain: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is associated with an inflammatory response. Hence infliximab, an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, might relieve pain. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled trial was designed with 21 women with severe pain and a rectovaginal nodule of at least 1 cm. After 1 month of observation, three infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) or placebo were given. Surgery was performed 3 months later and follow-up continued for 6 months. The primary end-point was pain (dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia and non-menstrual pain) rated at each visit by the clinician and on a daily basis by the patient who in addition scored pain by visual analog pain scale and analgesia intake. Secondary end-points included the volume of the endometriotic nodule, pelvic tenderness and the visual appearance of endometriotic lesions at laparoscopy. RESULTS: Pain severity decreased during the treatment by 30% in both the placebo (P < 0.001) and infliximab groups (P < 0.001). However, no effect of infliximab was observed for any of the outcome measures. After surgery, pain scores decreased in both groups to less than 20% of the initial value. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab appears not to affect pain associated with deep endometriosis. Treatment is associated with an important placebo effect. After surgery, pain decreases to less than 20%. Trials registration number ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00604864

The impact of vibrations on fragile historical mixed-media objects

The Enclosed Gardens of Mechelen are beautiful examples of historical mixed-media objects. Since they are extremely fragile, vibrations are considered a major agent of deterioration. To prepare and evaluate their permanent exhibition and to support decision making for future loans, three experiments were performed to estimate the vibrational impact. First, resonant frequencies were defined in a shaker table experiment. Second, the impact of transport was considered. A truck transport of three Gardens to a temporary exhibition was monitored and the condition of the Gardens was documented before and after transport. Finally, a vibrational assessment was performed on the permanent display

Influence of Learning Methods Factors on Satisfactions of Overseas Students: A case of Shandong University, Jinan, China

Satisfaction of students in an educational institution has become a strategic issue for universities to survive and flourish. The foremost object of this study is to investigate how learning approaches satisfy level of satisfaction of international students in China, like teaching staff, study programs, method of instruction, and engagement of teachers with students, seminars, use of multimedia in presentation, group discussion, internship, field trips, and implementation along with academic performance of the students. It would also employ IPA framework by which teachers and policy makers in the respective international office would search out guidelines directly from international students’ importance to learning methods and their outcome through a questionnaire. These instructions will not only improve the quality of international education but will also enhance the demand for international education and stiff competition worldwide. Data were collected from International students in Shandong University. The findings of this study indicated all learning methods play vital role for satisfaction of international students.  However, almost all the mean scores of performance were lower than those of the importance ratings. Hence, efforts should be made to improve the good performance. A practical recommendation was given to decision makers to enhance the international student satisfaction. For future research, it was suggested that to conduct qualitative studies it was necessary to identify the dimension of international student satisfaction

Influence of Learning Methods Factors on Satisfactions of Overseas Students: A case of Shandong University, Jinan, China

Satisfaction of students in an educational institution has become a strategic issue for universities to survive and flourish. The foremost object of this study is to investigate how learning approaches satisfy level of satisfaction of international students in China, like teaching staff, study programs, method of instruction, and engagement of teachers with students, seminars, use of multimedia in presentation, group discussion, internship, field trips, and implementation along with academic performance of the students. It would also employ IPA framework by which teachers and policy makers in the respective international office would search out guidelines directly from international students’ importance to learning methods and their outcome through a questionnaire. These instructions will not only improve the quality of international education but will also enhance the demand for international education and stiff competition worldwide. Data were collected from International students in Shandong University. The findings of this study indicated all learning methods play vital role for satisfaction of international students.  However, almost all the mean scores of performance were lower than those of the importance ratings. Hence, efforts should be made to improve the good performance. A practical recommendation was given to decision makers to enhance the international student satisfaction. For future research, it was suggested that to conduct qualitative studies it was necessary to identify the dimension of international student satisfaction

Recurrence of Mitotically Active Cellular Fibroma of the Ovary

Background. 10% of ovarian fibromatous tumours typically exhibit increased cellularity, mitotic activity, and less frequently nuclear atypia. Therefore, the classification within the group of fibromatous tumours may represent some difficulties, thus, one or several of these features should appear. Case. We introduce the clinical and pathologic features based on one case of recurrence of a mitotically active cellular ovarian fibroma (MACF) in the pararectal fossa. This recurrence took place six years after primary surgery. Macroscopically, the tumour was firm, fibrous, well delimited, yellow-white without gross necrosis. On microscopic examination, it was composed of a densely cellular proliferation of fibrolastic-like cells with bland nuclear features and arranged in a fascicular pattern. There was no sign of significant atypia or necrosis. Conclusion. Recently, this case is the first report of a recurrence of MACF, following primary surgery with no tumoral rupture or surgical difficulty. The clinical outcome of ovarian cellular fibromas (CFs) and MACFs is typically uneventful. This case, however, strongly suggests maintaining a long-term clinical follow-up even though the principal tumour was surgically treated without tumour rupture or in the absence of adherence or any surgical difficulty