Focus Group Interview: Data Collection

Adjunct to our previous article Challenges in conducting Focus Group: Moderators’ experiences, authors thought it would be fair to further discuss about the procedures/steps in data collection during focus group interview. These include the interview guide, composition of the group, number of focus group, sample size, role of moderator and recording the data

Sleep Status and Its Association On Occupational Performance Among Nurses

Sleep is an activity that allows our body to have enough rest after many hours of working throughout the whole day. Only through sleep do our brain and muscles are able to relax. Sleep expert says the amount of sleep each person need is largely dependent on the individual. Compared to non-shift workers or day workers, shift workers are more prone to experience sleep disorders simply due to the non-standard working time. Many studies have reported that these sleep disorders tend to affect the occupational performance of an individual. Among possible consequences include increase mortality, morbidity, accidents and errors, absenteeism in workplace, decrease in productivity, and deterioration of personal and professional relationship problems caused by working in shifts are not uniform among shift workers, and some suffer while others thrive. Shift workers on a night shift (hereafter night shift workers) slept less than the shift workers on a day shift (hereafter day shift workers) or day workers did, whereas the working hour for night shift workers were longer (Son, Kong, Koh, Kim & Harma, 2008). Data inclusive of demographic variables, measurement of sleep status and occupational impact was collected from 213 nurses working in 10 selected wards in Sarawak General Hospital in 2017. Findings revealed that out of 213 nurses, 53.1% reported of being moderately sleepy while 12.2% are very sleepy while working. Reporting on the association of sleep status with occupational performance, 55.4% reported of slight impact, 41.3% reported of moderate impact and another 3.3% reported of high impact. In this study, the relationship between demographic variables and the prevalence of sleep status was also investigated. Working area (ward/unit) is significantly associated with the prevalence of sleep status (p-value of 0.000). In conclusion, more than half of the respondents in this study reported of being sleepy while working thus pose great danger to patients under their care as this can affect their occupational performance. Further research need to be done to include on emotional status and physical fitness of respondents as this may affect their ability to cope with shift work and thus determining sleep disorder

Introduction to Project-Oriented Problem Based Learning (POPBL) In Behaviour Science and Academic Performance Among Year 1 Nursing Student in UNIMAS

Project-oriented problem-based learning (POPBL) is an individual or group activity that is carried out over a period of time, resulting in a product, presentation, or performance. Studies revealed that the implementation of POPBL exposes students to experiential learning in which they can experience as well as a practice to enhance their skills (Fatmawati & Hafizoah, 2017). Currently, most nursing theory courses are often taught the traditional teacher-centred approach. This method of teaching and learning may lead to students’ disinterest and lack of in-depth knowledge. A more flexible and student-centred approach such as POPBL may be an alternative. POPBL has been claimed to have numerous benefits ranging from a more motivated self-directed learner to the acquisition of lifelong learning skills in problem solving. Hence, this study aims to determine the association between the students’ level of understanding toward the content and their academic performance after the implementation of POPBL. A quantitative longitudinal study was conducted among the Year 1 undergraduate nursing students in UNIMAS. A group POPBL project experimentation was conducted during Semester 1, Academic Session 2017/2018. Self-administered structured questionnaires were distributed to 65 students where a total of 64 pre-registrations and 1 post-registration student were included. The pre-assessment was carried out in the week-4 before the implementation of the project where students were briefed and given a structured teaching learning activity for the purpose of a project to be carried out. The classroom lecture, teacher and student discussion and blended learning were still remaining as the teaching learning activities, however, students were also required to submit their progress reports in the subsequent 3-4 weeks once and presenting their project outcome on the week 14. The same questionnaires were used for both in pre and post assessment to determine the students’ ability to communicate and work in a team, understanding to the topic and able to provide innovative solution to the crafted problem. Findings revealed that POPBL enabled students to “work effectively as a team member” (t:7.623, df:1, p <0.05), promotes their “eagerness to participate in the group project or activities” (t:7.623, df:1, p<0.05) and “eagerness to participate in activities promotes better academic performance” (t: 6.304, df:1, p <0.05). The implementation of POPBL promotes their understanding in the course by enhancing their communication skills, promote knowledge and provide better solutions to crafted problems. This is supported by their achievement in the final result’s grading. Most of them obtained A- and B+ in the course. Based on the high achievements of students’ results, there is supportive evidence that POPBL is very much applicable to be implemented in the nursing theory courses which can be used to expose them to more problem-solving skills

Electronic Health Documentation using Integrated Nursing Education System: Nursing Students’ Experience, Perceptions, Attitudes and Intention to Use

Electronic health record (EHR) systems have been implemented in healthcare organizations in different countries including selected Malaysian hospitals in the last decade. Health professionals including nurses navigate EHR system in relation to patient history, nursing assessment and interventions, progress notes, vital signs, intakes-outputs, incident reports, physicians’ orders and so forth. Preparation of nursing students as the future professional nurses who would accept and utilize the EHR system proficiently for a safe delivery of healthcare practice is imperative. Through a cross-institutional memorandum of academic understanding in year 2015, the web application Integrated Nursing Education System (iNES), a simulated electronic health documentation, web-based application (at https://www.ines.sg) from the National University of Singapore (Kowitlawakul, 2014) has been made accessible to students in the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) of UNIMAS for teaching-learning purpose. This study aims to examine nursing students’ experience with the newly introduced technology and the extent of new learning that they may have gained. Students’ perceptions, attitudes, intention to use iNES and factors influencing their intention to use iNES for simulated EHR was also identified

Nursing procedures in special areas

This handbook is a manual on clinical procedures commonly carried out in the hospital settings. It serves as a reference for nursing students during their clinical placement in specialised areas

Falls risk screening tools intended to reduce fall risk among independent community-dwelling older adults : A systematic review

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate an evidence-based fall risk screening tool to predict the risk of falls suitable for independent community-dwelling older adults guided by the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) components, and to examine the reliability and validity of the fall risk screening tool to predict fall risks, and to examine the feasibility of tools among independent community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A systematic literature search guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was performed using the EBSCOHost® platform, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar between July and August 2021. Studies from January 2010 to January 2021 were eligible for review. Nine articles were eligible and included in this systematic review. The risk of bias assessment used the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. The WHO-ICF helped to guide the categorization of fall risk factors. Results: Seven screening tools adequately predicted fall risk among communitydwelling older adults. Six screening tools covered most of the components of the WHO-ICF, and three screening tools omitted the environmental factors. The modified 18-item Stay Independent Brochure demonstrated most of the predictive values in predicting fall risk. All tools are brief and easy to use in community or outpatient settings. Conclusion: The review explores the literature evaluating fall risk screening tools for nurses and other healthcare providers to assess fall risk among independent community-dwelling older adults. A fall risk screening tool consisting of risk factors alone might be able to predict fall risk. However, further refinements and validations of the tools before use are recommended

Effect of Hanging White Bedsheet Around Phototherapy Unit on TSB Level in Neonatal Jaundice: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Phototherapy is the primary treatment for neonatal jaundice and is evaluated via total serum bilirubin (TSB) level. Hanging white material around phototherapy unit can multiply energy delivery by many folds. This study is to evaluate the effect of hanging white bedsheet around phototherapy unit on the reduction of TSB level. Methods: Comparative interventional study was conducted in two public hospitals. 200 eligible neonates with hyperbilirubinemia were recruited and assigned to intervention (n=100) and control group (n=100). Neonates assigned into intervention group were nursed under phototherapy with the addition of white bedsheet hanging around the unit while the control group were nursed under phototherapy with non-white curtains. Results: Mothers’ blood group (x = 3.75, p = .29), neonates’ blood group (x = 2.87, p = .41), birth weight (t = 1.41, p = .16), baseline total serum bilirubin (TSB) level (p = .08), baseline irradiance of phototherapy prior to the hanging of curtains (p = .13) and hours of phototherapy (p = .53). The mean for TSB level in intervention and control group at 24 hours was 235.82µmol/L and 208.67µmol/L respectively. The mean difference in TSB level between intervention and control group was statistically significant at 24 hours (x = 27.15, t = 4.56, p < .001) and 48 hours (x = 19.27, t = 2.32, p = .02) after initiation of phototherapy. Conclusion: The baseline and demographic characteristics of the neonates and mothers were comparable between the intervention and control group. The TSB level at 24 hours and 48 hours were significantly lower in control group if compared to the intervention group. Therefore, hanging white bedsheet did not significantly hasten the reduction of TSB level when compared to ordinary non-white curtains

Effect of hanging white bedsheet around phototherapy unit on TSB level in neonatal jaundice: a comparative study

Introduction: Vaping is a use of electronic devices which do not produce smoke or steam, rather an aerosol consisting of fine particles, containing varying amounts of propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings and other chemicals. It is battery-powered devices that mimic the action of smoking. In Malaysia, vaping has become a major trend. Videos are going viral on social media showing school students in uniform proudly puffing away. The aim of this study was to find out the acceptance of vaping among medical and nursing students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with multiple stage of sampling technique on population of 624 medical and nursing students. Total samples were 389, by Krejci Morgan (1970) sampling technique. Structured questionnaires by A. Gorukanti (2018) with 15 items consisted of knowledge, attitude and acceptance and attitude and believe as data collection tools. Results: Re¬sults showed 9% to 10% of respondents are still smoking, they believed e- cigarette is safe and would not affect one’s health, as it is a water-based product trademarked. They also regard e-cigarette a way of quitting or cutting down smoking. Conclusion: 10% of respondents consistently believed e-cigarettes is harmless. Although the percentage may look small but the impact on the public is huge. However, 90% strongly agreed e-cigarettes ‘vapour is dan¬gerous to babies and kids. What concerns us is the consistent group of the 10%, are students who will become our healthcare providers in the future. Their strong-belief in vaping will influence the future of the public understanding, “If doctors and nurses said vaping is safe ... it is safe… right? why not. which is harmful. However, this study has impelled us not only to look at the strength and the significance outcomes of study and neglecting the trifle ones that may prime to serious healthcare consequences of the future society

A case control study on Infant Massage And Breastfeeding Outcome Among Mothers

Aims / Background: The practice of infant massage has been reported to provide benefits of improved mother-infant interaction and breastfeeding outcome. This study aims to examine the influence of infant massage on breastfeeding outcome. Methodology: using a case control study design, 310 mothers whose babies were 4 weeks old and still breastfeeding were recruited from the selected MCH clinics within Kuching District for the intervention and control groups, after prior ethnics approval. Study group mothers (mean age 29.2 years) were taught the adapted infant massage program by a certified infant massage instructor in a small group of 4-5 mothers each. A bottle of (60 mls) cold-pressed olive oil and a hand-out of the massage strokes were given to mothers who were asked to have baby massage session twice a day for 10-15 minutes each. Questionnaire on breastfeeding-related outcome (frequency, duration, supplementary food; exclusiveness) were administered to both groups of mothers on recruitment and on baby’s age 12 weeks. A dropout of 10 study group participants was noted due to loss to contact. Results: 84.8% (n=123) of the study group (N=145) reported still breastfeeding versus 77.4% (n=120) in the control group (N=155). However, almost half of the both groups had started on complementary feeding with formula milk of at least 1-2 times per day. Higher percentage of the study group then control group breastfed their babies at least 3-4 times per day. Apparently more of the study group reported at least 6-10 minutes for each breastfeeding session. Among the reasons indicated from mothers of both groups for not breastfeeding include milk insufficiency and the needs to resume work. Conclusion: Infant massage could be one of the factors which influence positively on breastfeeding outcome in the local context