The challenge to the four-status eLearning model for healthcare professionals: a critique on a developing world case study

This paper presents the critical reviews of the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning for health professionals. The impact of eLearning on healthcare professionals is explored; the focus is on health professionals in rural Thailand. Literature suggests that there are four main topics related to the drivers and barriers in eLearning, they are: Infrastructure; Finance; Policies; and Culture (IFPC). Because of the reports of online learning success and the growing use in all areas of higher education, understanding of successful implantation is limited, especially for healthcare professionals in developing countries. The model of barriers and drivers is being adopted as a template for the design of all eLearning, to the exclusion of other ideas. An evaluation of the adoption of e-learning in Thailand is presented along with a discussion on the findings. This paper suggested that the four-status model would help understand how to successfully implement an eLearning course. This has interesting consequences for the implementation of e-learning especially in developing countries

The Challenge of Four-Status Model of eLearning: Principles Toward a New Understanding for Healthcare Professionals

This paper presents the critical reviews of the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning for healthcare professionals. The impact of learning on healthcare professionals is explored; the focus is on healthcare professionals in rural Thailand. Literature suggests that there are four main topics related to the drivers and barriers in eLearning, they are: Infrastructure; Finance; Policies; and Culture (IF-PC). IF-PC model of barriers and drivers of eLearning is being adopted as a template for the design of all eLearning, to the exclusion of other ideas. Using a case study approach the research, completed in 2006, had two phases. A questionnaire was distributed to a group healthcare professional student to gain information with questions adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Phase 2 employed three strands of data collection: interviews, a group discussions, and observation were employed to help with the understanding of the problems in greater depth. Data was analysed using a form of pattern matching. An evaluation of the adoption of eLearning in Thailand is presented along with a discussion on the findings. It appears that alternative models of eLearning cannot be disregarded. This has interesting consequences for the implementation of eLearning especially in developing countries

Cosmetic surgery consideration among male and female university students in five ASEAN countries

Although cosmetic surgeries are increasing in frequency, only few studies have investigated cosmetic surgery attitudes in Asia. The aim of the study was to investigate male and female university students’ experiences and attitudes about cosmetic surgery in five ASEAN countries. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey and anthropometric measurement were conducted with undergraduate students that were recruited randomly from classes. The “Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale” (ACSS) was used to determine the prevalence of cosmetic surgery attitudes. The sample included 3319 university students, with a mean age of 20.5 years, SD=1.6, from Indonesia, Malysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Results indicate that the overall mean score of ACSS Consider was 2.98, with the highest in Thailand (4.06), followed by Vietnam (3.05) and the lowest in Indonesia (2.30) and Malaysia (2.39). Among male students, 16.2% and among female students, 26.7% have “sometimes thought about having cosmetic surgery”. In multivariate logistic regression analysis lower intrinsic religiosity, low personal mastery, pathological internet use and depressive symptoms were associated with cosmetic surgery consideration. In addition, among men, having perceived overweight, disordered eating attitudes, lack of social support, PTSD symptoms and having experienced childhood sexual abuse, and among women, being 18-19 years old, not being obese and binge drinking were associated with cosmetic surgery consideration.Keywords: Cosmetic surgery, attitudes, university students, ASEA

Development of mobile application for hypertension surveillance and telemonitoring in older persons in rural community

Hypertension is a cause of cardiovascular complications and premature death worldwide.  Prevalence of hypertension is doubled older population. Close monitoring must be promptly equipped by healthcare team without delays to preserve intact cardiovascular system. In Thailand, village health volunteers (VHVs, OSOMO in Thai) are key healthcare personnel that co-ordinate health information between the older persons and health care professionals. The VHVs have been trained to measure blood pressure, record, and submit a report to health professionals in monthly basis. However, the blood pressure records in some health areas were still incomplete due to incontiguous data collection and difficult access to the older persons. This project was aimed to develop a geographical information system (GIS)-based mobile application for hypertension surveillance and monitoring in older persons in rural community by the VHVs using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model. Results showed that blood pressure data of 6,421 (76.92%) of the older persons were recorded. We employed the Google Map Application Programming Interface (API) to identify latitude and longitude of the older persons’ living locations. Other health data were also recorded

The challenges of urban tourism, Liveable city, and urban environment in Bangkok

A liveable city is concerned with urban development and the living environment of residents. Bangkok could be considered one of the best destination cities in the world, with low prices, excellent service, and diverse tourist attractions. Although Bangkok is one of the best cities for tourism, the best city for tourism does not refer to a liveable city for the residents. This present study aimed to investigate the relationships between urban tourism, urban development, and liveable city in particular areas of Bangkok using data from the Traffy Fondue application. The study employs mixed methods, comprising questionnaires for foreign tourists in both English and Chinese, interviewing stakeholders, and searching for online open data from popular travel websites for popularity and satisfaction. For a liveable city for the residents, we employed the set of open source data from the Traffy Fondue application operated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA). The results demonstrated that an urban environment for tourists did not refer to a liveable city for the residents. Furthermore, additional elements – mobility facilities for tourists and residents were the most considerable challenges to urban environment improvement for both urban tourism and a liveable city in Bangkok.&nbsp

Pathological Internet Use and Psychosocial Risk Factors among ASEAN University Students

Background: Pathological internet use may lead to serious psychosocial problems and dysfunction. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of pathological internet use among undergraduate university students in five ASEAN countries in relation to sociodemographics, internet use variables, psychosocial factors, and comorbid symptoms. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey in 2015 in Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Myanmar (Yangon), Thailand (MahaSarakham), and Vietnam (Hanoi), 3240 undergraduate university students (Mean age = 20.5 years, SD = 1.6), who were randomly selected, responded to a questionnaire including the "Young Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction" (YDQ) and other measures. Results: Overall, the prevalences of pathological internet use were 35.9% (ranging from 16.1% in Myanmar to 52.4% in Thailand), maladaptive use 34.8% and adjusted Internet users 29.9%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, internet use variables (heavy overall Internet use, heavy Internet use for recreational purposes, and heavy smartphone use), psychosocial factors (the experience of childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, lack of social support, and poor academic performance), and comorbid symptoms (having a self-classified gambling problem, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, past 12-month drug use, severe depression, sleeping problems, having attempted a suicide, and PTSD symptoms) were found to be associated with pathological internet use. Conclusions: The study found a very high prevalence of pathological internet use; those students lacking psychosocial support and having comorbid symptoms were at the highest risk