'We work together as a group': implications of jigsaw cooperative learning.

BACKGROUND: Modern clinical practice increasingly relies on collaborative, cooperative and team-based approaches for effective patient care. Recently, Jigsaw cooperative learning has gained attention in medical education. There is a need for studies in Southeast Asian context to establish its effectives in developing various core competencies expected of health professionals such as interpersonal, communication, collaborative, and teamwork skills. This current study explores the impact of using Jigsaw Cooperative Learning on undergraduate medical students. METHOD: An explanatory mixed method research design was carried out on first year medical students at a private university in Malaysia. In Phase I, a survey was conducted to explore the effectiveness of jigsaw learning. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS. In Phase II, a focus group interview was conducted to explore their in-depth experiences. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-seven students participated in the survey and seven students took part in the focus group interview. Quantitative data analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in the student's individual accountability, promotive interaction, positive interdependence, interpersonal skill, communication skill, teamwork skill, critical thinking and consensus building after jigsaw learning sessions. Qualitative data explained their experiences in-depth. CONCLUSION: Jigsaw cooperative learning improves collaboration, communication, cooperation and critical thinking among the undergraduate medical students. Educators should use jigsaw learning methods to encourage effective collaboration and team working. Future studies should explore the effectiveness of the jigsaw cooperative learning technique in promoting interprofessional collaboration in the workplace.

Trends in Health Communication: Social Media Needs and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: While social media continues to dominate, social media platforms have become powerful health communication tools for older users. However, fulfilling their social media needs can be both detrimental and beneficial to their quality of life (QoL). This study assessed social media needs as they relate to QoL among older adults in Malaysia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study and adopted convenience sampling to recruit participants. The participants were required to self-report their sociodemographic profile, social media use and needs, and QoL. Social media use and needs were assessed using the Social Networking Sites Uses and Needs (SNSUN) scale, and QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify the predictors of QoL. RESULTS: The findings revealed that the fulfilment of social integrative needs was the strongest predictor of higher QoL in all domains. However, those using social media for their affective needs demonstrated lower psychological health quality. CONCLUSIONS: Fulfilling social integrative needs is the key to improving the QoL among older adults. The continuous development of age-friendly applications is essential to keep up with constantly changing social media trends and bridge the gap of social media inequalities. More importantly, it would enable older adults to utilize social media to its fullest potential and enjoy a higher QoL through accessible health communication tools.

A rare case of spindle cell lipoma of nose.

We present a case report of a 45-year-old lady with history of swelling on right side of the nose since two years. On clinical examination, there was a firm swelling, 3 × 2 cm in size, just above the right nasoalar crease, nontender and mobile. Computed tomography revealed fibrous tissue over anterior surface of the right maxilla and nasal bone with mild sclerosis of the right nasal bone. Excision was done through lateral rhinotomy incision. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen revealed spindle cell lipoma which is very rare. Very few cases have been reported in the literature so far.