The perspectives of learners at a public medical school on the evaluation of an online learning management system for degree and non-degree courses.

BACKGROUND: There has been a rapid development and adoption of online learning in medical education. However, it is difficult to adopt the currently available online learning management systems (LMS). This study aimed to examine learners' perspectives on the evaluation of online LMS. METHODS: An online LMS was developed based on the evidence-based guidelines. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. A short survey was conducted with 716 learners registered on the LMS to obtain their perspectives on the online participation. A satisfaction survey was conducted with 255 learners enrolled in the courses taught solely online. Data from the LMS monitoring system was used to report the uptake of online courses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Participants reported that the major factor influencing LMS uptake was the ability to be accessed anytime and anywhere (n = 556, 77.7%). The participants had good experience in using the LMS and were satisfied with it (n = 255, mean = 4.53, SD = 0.62). For online degree courses, the course had a high completion rate of 90% provided that a mark was assigned for course attendance. For non-degree courses, irrespective of whether they were free, paid, exam-based, or participation only, the completion rate was considered low (range 4.3-36.7%). CONCLUSION: Under a limited budget, a medical school in a low- to middle-income country could develop an effective online LMS to meet learners' needs. Our newly developed online LMS is relevant, accepted and to the satisfaction of the learners. Medical schools in the same context are encouraged to develop their own online LMS that serve and support learning in both degree and non-degree courses.

Epidemiology of assault-related hospitalizations in Thailand in the fiscal year 2010: comparison between with and without psychiatric disorder.

BACKGROUND: Assault is a leading cause of injury and death; however little is known regarding the psychiatric epidemiology of assault-related hospitalizations (ARH) in Thailand. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological data of ARH in Thailand for the fiscal year 2010 and to compare the epidemiology of ARH between with and without psychiatric disorder MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data analyzed were from the annual reports for the fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009-September 30, 2010), on every kind of hospitalization reimbursed by the Universal Health Coverage System, the Social Welfare System, and the Civil Servant Medical Benefits Scheme, altogether provided medical coverage for more than 96% of the Thai population. The information on ARH (X85-Y09: ICD-10 version for 2010) and comorbid psychiatric disorder(s) (F00-F99) were extracted. Number of in-patient hospitalizations by sex, age, geographical region, month, hospital charges, length of hospital stay (LOS) and mortality rate (MR) were analyzed. Frequencies (percentages) of ARH and subgroups were reported. RESULTS: The national ARH care cost was 0.98% of the overall national in-patient care expenses (88,964 million Baht). The rate of ARH was 0.72 of every 100 hospitalizations or 7.74 incidents/100,000 general population. Assaults leading to hospitalizations frequently occurred among males (80.86%); in 25-39 year-olds (35.60%), 40-59 year-olds (22.85%); by sharp object (29.44%), blunt object (24.40%) and bodily force (23.71%); in the Central (39.48%) and Northeast region (31.16%). There was a tri-modal monthly peak distribution: April (11.12%), December (9.45%) and October (8.90%). A minority i.e. 0.4% (male to female ratio of 4.22:1) of ARH had a concomitant psychiatric disorder(s): the most frequent being 'mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use' (66.54%) followed by 'schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders' (14.230%). The MR of ARH with and without concomitant psychiatric disorder was 1.03% and 0.30%, respectively. The LOS of overall ARH was 5.15 +/- 12.41 days, min-max was 1-568 days and the mode was 1 day. The LOS of ARH with/without psychiatric disorder was 5.2 +/- 12.4 vs. 3.7 +/- 7.5 days. The expenses paid for ARH with/without psychiatric disorder was 75,811,383.40 Baht vs. 791,214,659.90 Baht. CONCLUSION: Assault accounted for 0.72 hospitalization of every 100 hospitalizations and 7.74 times/100,000 population. A fraction (0.04%) of ARH had concomitant psychiatric disorder(s): most frequently psychoactive substance use disorders followed by schizophrenia and related psychosis.

Breathing meditation by medical students at Khon Kaen University: effect on psychiatric symptoms, memory, intelligence and academic achievement.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the short-term effects on fifth-year medical students of a 4-week, breathing meditation-based, stress reduction intervention on psychiatric symptoms, memory function, intelligence, and academic achievement. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Using a randomized control trial, the meditation group practiced every 8.00 to 8.20 a.m. before beginning daily learning schedule. Meditation emphasized mindful awareness of the breath during inhaling and exhaling. The control group went about their normal activities in the other room. The psychiatric symptoms were measured using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), the memory used the Wechsler Memory Scale-I (WMS-I), the intelligence used the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM), and the academic achievement used psychiatry course MCQ examination score. Analysis was done using Ancova statistic. RESULTS: Fifty-eight volunteer medical students during their psychiatry rotation between June 2008 and May 2009, were randomized into either in the meditation (n = 30) or the control (non-meditation) (n = 28) group. There was no significant difference between the groups in their respective SCL-90, WMS-I, APM, and psychiatry course MCQ examination score. CONCLUSION: Among normal, intelligent, mentally healthy persons, short-term breathing meditation practice will not likely change psychiatric symptoms, memory function, intellectual performance, and academic achievement.

Dermatoglyphic traits in Thai schizophrenia patients: a matching case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare fingerprint patterns, means of dermatoglyphic variables i.e., total finger ridge count, total a-b ridge count, pattern complexity index, and fingerprint pattern asymmetry between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional, matching case-control was conducted. Thirty-four males and 34 females with schizophrenia and an equal number of age and sex matched normal controls were selected. Fingerprints and partial palm prints of all of the subjects were obtained using the Automated Inkless Fingerprint Imaging Software and the transparent-adhesive tape technique, respectively. Using paired t-tests (p < 0.05), the cases and controls, males and females separately, were compared for fingerprint pattern asymmetry, total finger ridge counts (TFRC), a-b ridge counts of the right (RABRC), left (LABRC), and both hands (TABRC), and pattern complexity index (PCI). RESULTS: Between cases and controls, neither sex had any significant differences in the mean scores for the pattern asymmetries, TFRC, right-left-ABRC and TABRC. However, the mean scores for PCI were significantly different between the male cases and controls (2.82 vs. 4.94, p = 0 009). CONCLUSION: Only male patients exhibited average scores for complex patterns (whorls minus arches less than 2), which might be a biomarker for screening of schizophrenia in males.

The effects of a newly established online learning management system: the perspectives of Thai medical students in a public medical school.

BACKGROUND: There are obstacles for medical schools in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to implement an online learning management system (LMS) during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. Our medical school has developed and implemented tailored LMS for medical students and examine the acceptance and effects of this LMS on the medical students' learning outcomes and identify factors influencing their adoption of online learning. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods study using an online questionnaire and online semi-structured interviews with first-year medical students at one medical school in Thailand. The platform's monitoring system and questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The response rate was 55.5% (157/283). Most of the respondents agreed on the advantages and were very satisfied with their learning experience. The logistic regression showed that content quality (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.11-5.31) and perceived usefulness (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.02-7.39) were significantly associated with the acceptance of online learning among medical students. There was no association between the test scores and time spent in the course. CONCLUSION: Despite limited evidence of LMS effectiveness in medical schools in LMIC, learning on a customised LMS appeared to be accepted, useful, user-friendly, and effective among medical students. The perceived usefulness and the content quality are associated with the acceptance of online learning. Medical schools in LMIC can develop their own LMS to ensure that it meets their learners' and faculties' needs. This study is a single-institution study, further large-scale studies are needed to ensure generalisability.

Validity and reliability study of the Thai version of WHO Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry version 2.1.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity and reliability of the Thai version of WHO Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) version 2.1. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The SCAN interview book version 2.1 was translated from English into Thai. The content validity of the translation was verified by examining the back-translation. Whenever inconsistencies were encountered, the Thai version was adapted to convey the meaning of the original. The revised Thai version was then field-tested in 4 regions of Thailand for comprehensibility of the relatively technical language. Re-edition of the Thai version was made in accordance with suggestions from the field trial. The complete SCAN Thai version was put into the computerized I-Shell program for inter and intra-rater reliability study. RESULTS: Based on the response from Thai subjects and consultations with competent and well SCAN-trained psychiatrists, content validity was established. The inter- and intra-rater agreement of somatoform and dissociative symptoms module were 0.77, 0.85; anxiety: 0.79, 0.84; mood: 0.80, 0.86; eating disorders: 0.73, 0.76; use of alcohol: 0.66, 0.82; stress and adjustment disorders: 0.90, 0.94; psychosis: 0.68, 0.76; cognitive impairment: 0 72, 0.78 and observed behavior, affect and speech module were 0.45 and, 0.51 respectively. CONCLUSION: The SCAN version 2.1 Thai version proved to be a reliable tool for assessing psychiatric illness among Thais.