Employees’ Perception of Employability Skills Needed in Todays Workforce among Physiotherapy Graduates

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to investigate the employers’ perceptions of employability skills and competency levels of 45 physiotherapy graduate employees. The Survey of the Employability Skills Needed in the Workforce were adapted and distributed to all graduates employees. Findings demonstrated that employers perceived only the following 7 items that needed enhancement in the physiotherapy education: critical thinking ability, generating hypotheses and linking ideas, applying theory into practice, sharp analytical skills,prioritizing problems, keeping up-to-date on latest information regarding the professionalism, giving clear explanation about problems and treatments and recognizing the effects of decisions to be made

Randomized controlled trial of a good practice approach to treatment of childhood obesity in Malaysia: Malaysian childhood obesity treatment trial (MASCOT)

Context. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for the treatment of childhood obesity have taken place outside the Western world. Aim. To test whether a good practice intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity would have a greater impact on weight status and other outcomes than a control condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods. Assessor-blinded RCT of a treatment intervention in 107 obese 7- to 11-year olds. The intervention was relatively low intensity (8 hours contact over 26 weeks, group based), aiming to change child sedentary behavior, physical activity, and diet using behavior change counselling. Outcomes were measured at baseline and six months after the start of the intervention. Primary outcome was BMI z-score, other outcomes were weight change, health-related quality of life (Peds QL), objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior (Actigraph accelerometry over 5 days). Results. The intervention had no significant effect on BMI z score relative to control. Weight gain was reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (+1.5 kg vs. +3.5 kg, respectively, t-test p < 0.01). Changes in health-related quality of life and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior favored the intervention group. Conclusions. Treatment was associated with reduced rate of weight gain, and improvements in physical activity and quality of life. More substantial benefits may require longer term and more intensive interventions which aim for more substantive lifestyle changes

A comparison of referral pattern and physiotherapy role in two hospitals: the physicians' perception

The purpose of this study is to compare the doctors' perception of the professional role of physiotherapists, reasons for patient referral to the physiotherapist, the frequent modality referred and suggestions on how to improve the professional role of physiotherapist in two different hospitals, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) and Hospital Kota Kinahalu (HKK). A two-part questionnaire was used to survey the sample of physicians. The first part contained demographic variables whereas the second part contained attitudinal statements based on Moore's criteria of professionalism, reasons for referral, the common treatment modalities that is referred and suggestion on how to improve the professional image of physiotherapist. Three hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed and two hundred and nine were returned. Out of'this total, 116(66%) subjects were from Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) and 93(44%) from Hospital Kota Kinabalu (HKK). The results indicated that the responding doctors viewed the physiotherapists as possessing some degree of professionalism, 52% (65) from HUKM and 68% (63) from HKK, however there was relatively less agreement with the professional aspect of knowledge, skills and autonomy of judgment posed by the physiotherapist. There was a common perception of doctors towards physiotherapy image with more collegial nature among doctors in HKK than those in HUKM. The priority for treatment modalities referred are 66% (77) chest physiotherapy in both hospitals, 54% (61) exercises and mobilizations in HUKM and 45% (53) in HKK, use of 15% (17) electrotherapy agents in HUKM while 22% (26) in HKK and less referral on wax therapy with 3%(3) in HUKM and 8% (7) in HKK and lastly 2% (2) in HUKM and 3% (3) in HKK on hydrotherapy. In both hospitals, 41% (48) of doctors have suggested more discussions happening between physician and physiotherapist in HUKM and 46% (43) in HKK, however 38% (35) doctors from HKK and only 14% (16) from HUKM have encouraged the use of pamphlets as a means of giving more information on the physiotherapy role

Physiotherapy service needs: physicians' perception and patient referral in HUKM

The purpose of this study is to identify the Physicians' perception of the professional image of the physiotherapists in HUKM, the reasons for patient referral to the physiotherapists and whether the perception have influence on patient referral. A two-part questionnaire was used to survey the sample of doctors. The first part contained demographic variables whereas the second part contained attitudinal statements based on Moore's criteria of professionalism and reasons for referral. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and sixteen were returned. The results indicated that the responding doctors viewed the physiotherapists as possessing some degree of professionalism, However there was relatively less agreement with the professional aspect of knowledge, skills and autonomy of judgement posed by the physiotherapist. Spearman correllation demonstrates positive association (p<0.05) between the Physicians' perception and the referral of patient to the pliysiotherapists

Perbandingan antara rehabilitasi pulmonari di rumah dengan di hospital bagi pesakit COPD dalam memperbaiki status fungsi paru-paru

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti keberkesanan program rehabilitasi pulmonari di hospital berbanding dengan program rehabilitasi pulmonari di rumah dalam mempe rbai k i k eadaan pe sak i t be rpenyak i t peny empi tan pulmonari kronik (COPD) Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Seramai 35 orang pesakit berumur antara 17 hingga 78 tahun telah dirawak sama ada untuk rehabilitasi pulmonari di hospital (48.6%, n = 20) atau di rumah (43%, n = 15) oleh Ahli Fisioterapi. Untuk program rehabilitasi di hospital, pesakit dijadualkan hadir ke hospital dua kali seminggu selama lapan minggu. Untuk program rehabilitasi di rumah, pesakit dijadualkan hadir ke Jabatan Fisioterapi sebanyak dua kali untuk mempelajari senaman yang perlu dilakukan sebelum mereka dibenarkan melakukan senaman sendiri di rumah. Sebuah diari diberikan kepada setiap pesakit untuk merekodkan senaman yang dilakukan. Panggilan telefon dibuat sekali setiap dua minggu untuk tujuan pemantauan. Penilaian fungsi paru-paru, ujian enam minit berjalan kaki (6MWT) dan skor Borg dilakukan sebelum dan sesudah lapan minggu rehabilitasi dijalankan. Keputusan menunjukkan tiada perubahan bererti dalam fungsi paru-paru untuk kedua-dua kumpulan sebelum dan selepas rehabilitasi.Terdapat perbezaan bererti (p < 0.05) dalam 6MWT sebelum dan selepas rehabilitasi bagi pesakit yang mengikuti program rehabilitasi pulmonari di hospital. Sebaliknya, perbezaan adalah tidak bererti (p > 0.05) bagi pesakit yang mengikuti rehabilitasi pulmonari di rumah. Keputusan juga menunjukkan bahawa tidak terdapat korelasi bererti antara fungsi paruparu dengan 6MWT walaupun terdapat peningkatan dalam jarak perjalanan di peringkat garis pangkal atau minggu ke lapan. Sebagai kesimpulan, program rehabilitasi pulmonari di hospital didapati lebih berkesan daripada program rehabilitasi pulmonari di rumah dalam meningkatkan kelasakan senaman yang mana akan dapat membantu megurangkan dispnea di kalangan pesakit COPD

Reflection of physiotherapy students in clinical placement: a qualitative study

Clinical education provides students with opportunities to integrate knowledge and skills at progressively higher levels of performance. This study determined the significant events that undergraduate physiotherapy student reflects on during their clinical experiences as they learn to become a physiotherapist. A qualitative study using reflective instruments of structured debriefing sessions and diary writing was carried out. This involves 25 fourth-year students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM   during their 12 weeks of clinical placements in 3 different modules (first semester). They were required to describe an event, its value and their reaction to it, and to discuss the effect of the new learning experience and how it would influence their respond in the future. Our findings confirmed that the process of writing a diary makes a considerable impact to the student experience during clinical placement. The subjects begin to construct a personal identity of becoming a physiotherapist through the process of developing confidence, confirmation of practices and assimilating of knowledge. In conclusion, the main themes   generated from a  reflective diary included their reflection of personal growth, on how they learnt in a clinical setting, and on the ethical and professional behaviors of themselves and colleagues.    This provides the clinical educators with valuable information to design meaningful clinical learning experiences that would assist students to become a good physiotherapist for the future

Persepsi terhadap pengajaran dan pembelajaran pendidikan klinikal di kalangan pelajar fisioterapi semasa penempatan klinikal

Kajian ini mengenal pasti persepsi pelajar fisioterapi tahun tiga terhadap pengajaran dan pembelajaran semasa di penempatan klinikal. Seramai 154 pelajar peringkat ijazah sarjana muda dan diploma dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara dan Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu telah terlibat dengan menjawab soal selidik. Nilai kebolehpercayaan didapati tinggi bagi skala soal selidik aktiviti pengajaran dan pembelajaran yang diukur menggunakan Cronbach alpha (α = 0.94). Hasil kajian membuktikan terdapat perbezaan yang bererti (p < 0.05) mengenai persepsi pelajar dari segi tempoh penempatan klinikal, bilangan pelajar yang sesuai dalam sesuatu sesi pengajaran di klinikal, dan aktiviti pengajaran dan pembelajaran iaitu ‘aktiviti bertumpukan pesakit’ serta ‘maklum balas kepada pelajar.’ Kajian mendapati tahap pengajian mempengaruhi persepsi pelajar terhadap pengajaran dan pembelajaran semasa di penempatan klinikal. Kesimpulannya, tahap pengajian merupakan salah satu faktor penyebab yang mempengaruhi kadar pembelajaran pelajar semasa menjalani pendidikan klinikal

Effectiveness of a Combined Dance and Relaxation Intervention on Reducing Anxiety and Depression and Improving Quality of Life among the Cognitively Impaired Elderly

Objectives: Cognitive impairment is a common problem among the elderly and is believed to be a precursor to dementia. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a combined dance and relaxation intervention as compared to relaxation alone in reducing anxiety and depression levels and improving quality of life (QOL) and cognitive function among the cognitively impaired elderly. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between May and December 2013 in Peninsular Malaysia. Subjects from four government residential homes for older adults aged ≥60 years with mild to moderate cognitive function as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination were included in the study. Subjects were divided into an intervention group and a control group; the former participated in a combined poco-poco dance and relaxation intervention whilst the latter participated in relaxation exercises only. Both groups participated in two sessions per week for six weeks. Anxiety and depression were self-assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and QOL was self-assessed using the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease questionnaire. Results: A total of 84 elderly subjects were included in the study; 44 were in the intervention group and 40 were in the control group. When compared to control subjects, those in the intervention group showed significantly decreased anxiety (P <0.001) and depression (P <0.001) levels as well as improved QOL (P <0.001) and cognitive impairment (P <0.001). Conclusion: Dance as a form of participation-based physical exercise was found to reduce anxiety and depression levels and improve QOL and cognitive function among the studied sample of cognitively impaired elderly subjects in Malaysia

Sejarah jatuh dan hubungannya dengan status pemakanan di kalangan pesakit warga tua (History of falls and its relationship with nutritional status among elderly patients)

Risiko jatuh yang meningkat mengakibatkan kecederaan dan ketidakfungsian di kalangan warga tua. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan prevalens jatuh dan hubungannya dengan status pemakanan di kalangan 143 pesakit warga tua dari wad perubatan dan klinik pesakit luar di Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Pengukuran antropometri diambil dan status kesihatan tulang dinilai dengan ultrabunyi kuantitatif (QUS). Sejarah jatuh, status fungsian dan pengambilan makanan berdasarkan sejarah diet turut dicerap dengan menggunakan borang soal-selidik melalui temuduga bersemuka dengan subjek. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan SPSS versi 16.0 dan Foodworks. Prevalens jatuh (pernah jatuh sekurangkurangnya sekali sepanjang setahun yang lepas) dalam kajian ini adalah 32.9%. Prevalens jatuh bagi subjek perempuan (40.2%) adalah lebih tinggi berbanding lelaki (17.4%)(p<0.01). Subjek perempuan dengan pengambilan kalsium kurang daripada 300 mg/h (adjusted OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.02-9.25) dan protein tidak mencapai 1 g/kg berat badan (adjusted OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 0.98-13.84) meningkatkan risiko jatuh. Secara keseluruhan, satu pertiga daripada subjek kajian pernah jatuh, terutamanya di kalangan wanita. Program intervensi pemakanan dan kesihatan harus dilakukan ke atas pesakit warga tua yang mempunyai pengambilan kalsium kurang daripada 300 mg/hari dan pengambilan protein kurang daripada 1 g/kg berat badan bagi mengurangkan risiko jatuh dan komorbiditi akibat jatuh

Validity and Reliability of the Clinical Competency Evaluation Instrument for Use among Physiotherapy Students; Pilot study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the content validity, internal consistency, testretest reliability and inter-rater reliability of the Clinical Competency Evaluation Instrument (CCEVI) in assessing the clinical performance of physiotherapy students. Methods: This study was carried out between June and September 2013 at University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A panel of 10 experts were identified to establish content validity by evaluating and rating each of the items used in the CCEVI with regards to their relevance in measuring students’ clinical competency. A total of 50 UKM undergraduate physiotherapy students were assessed throughout their clinical placement to determine the construct validity of these items. The instrument’s reliability was determined through a cross-sectional study involving a clinical performance assessment of 14 final-year undergraduate physiotherapy students. Results: The content validity index of the entire CCEVI was 0.91, while the proportion of agreement on the content validity indices ranged from 0.83–1.00. The CCEVI construct validity was established with factor loading of ≥0.6, while internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) overall was 0.97. Test-retest reliability of the CCEVI was confirmed with a Pearson’s correlation range of 0.91–0.97 and an intraclass coefficient correlation range of 0.95–0.98. Inter-rater reliability of the CCEVI domains ranged from 0.59 to 0.97 on initial and subsequent assessments. Conclusion: This pilot study confirmed the content validity of the CCEVI. It showed high internal consistency, thereby providing evidence that the CCEVI has moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability. However, additional refinement in the wording of the CCEVI items, particularly in the domains of safety and documentation, is recommended to further improve the validity and reliability of the instrument