scholarly journals How do medical students utilize mobile handheld devices in learning?

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad M Al-Moslih ◽  
Erik Driessen
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Handheld Devices ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Handheld Device ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Initial Survey

Introduction. The phenomenon of increased and ubiquitous use of mobile handheld devices by medical students triggered the interest to explore how these students utilize their devices while learning. Methods. This study was conducted at the Medical College of University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates during the period February to April 2012. A total of 463 students participated in the study. A mixed methodology was employed where an initial survey provided the necessary preliminary data and purposively sample the subjects, followed by two focus group discussions to explore this phenomenon in depth. Results. The survey results demonstrated that vast majority (95.9%) of students possess at least one type of mobile handheld device. Most of these students (90.1%) used their handheld device while learning. Students used these devices in different contexts, varying between Lectures, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, Hospitals and other contexts were identified (32.4%, 30.1%, 20% and 13% respectively). Majority of students (83.2%) use their handhelds when learning individually on their own time, whereas about half of them (48.3%) use it in learning with friends i.e. collaboratively. Focus group discussions revealed several aspects of how students utilized their mobile handheld devices while learning. Five themes were identified, which demonstrated the resources and accessed content, contexts of use, activities that involved learning, with whom students learned, and what made them learn or not learn while using these devices. Conclusion. Mobile handheld devices facilitated students learning “on-the-move” on and off-campus in different ways. Students utilized their devices mostly to complement and augment their learning in different contexts. Students believed that a huge gap exists between themselves and their teachers in terms of mobile learning.

scholarly journals How do medical students utilize mobile handheld devices in learning?

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad M Al-Moslih ◽  
Erik Driessen
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Handheld Devices ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Handheld Device ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Initial Survey

Introduction. The phenomenon of increased and ubiquitous use of mobile handheld devices by medical students triggered the interest to explore how these students utilize their devices while learning. Methods. This study was conducted at the Medical College of University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates during the period February to April 2012. A total of 463 students participated in the study. A mixed methodology was employed where an initial survey provided the necessary preliminary data and purposively sample the subjects, followed by two focus group discussions to explore this phenomenon in depth. Results. The survey results demonstrated that vast majority (95.9%) of students possess at least one type of mobile handheld device. Most of these students (90.1%) used their handheld device while learning. Students used these devices in different contexts, varying between Lectures, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) sessions, Hospitals and other contexts were identified (32.4%, 30.1%, 20% and 13% respectively). Majority of students (83.2%) use their handhelds when learning individually on their own time, whereas about half of them (48.3%) use it in learning with friends i.e. collaboratively. Focus group discussions revealed several aspects of how students utilized their mobile handheld devices while learning. Five themes were identified, which demonstrated the resources and accessed content, contexts of use, activities that involved learning, with whom students learned, and what made them learn or not learn while using these devices. Conclusion. Mobile handheld devices facilitated students learning “on-the-move” on and off-campus in different ways. Students utilized their devices mostly to complement and augment their learning in different contexts. Students believed that a huge gap exists between themselves and their teachers in terms of mobile learning.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Malaysian medical students from different academic years on primary care: a qualitative research

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000188
Author(s):  
Sook Ching Chan ◽  
Jaya Vinoshairine Ganeson ◽  
Jee Tat Ong ◽  
Sandheep Sugathan
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Primary Care Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Career Pathway

ObjectiveTo explore the perception of medical students from a private medical college in Perak, Malaysia, on primary care practice and induce the factors influencing their perception and willingness to consider primary care as a career pathway.DesignQualitative study using focus group discussions. Participants’ responses were audio recorded, transcribed, grouped under various domains and listed out and analysed.SettingA private medical college in Perak state, Malaysia.ParticipantsForty-six medical students from years 2 to 5 were included. Eight focus groups were formed with two focus groups from each academic year (six students each in seven groups and four students in one group). Students were informed through their respective student leader of each year and received a participant information sheet and an informed consent form which were completed and returned if they decided to participate in the focus group discussions.ResultsThe participants had different levels of understanding of primary care depending on their level of exposure to primary care. Senior students with more exposure had a better understanding about primary care and its services. Attractive factors towards choosing primary care as a career included short working hours with a more balanced family and social life, being able to treat patients as a whole with continuity of care and closer relationship with patients. Unattractive factors included routine, unchallenging and boring practice, poor salary, work overload and administrative work in government clinics, being less recognised by other specialties; and the poor perception by other doctors that those pursuing primary care were not ‘brilliant enough’ for more ‘sophisticated disciplines like surgery or paediatrics’.ConclusionThis study showed that the medical students’ level of exposure to primary care played a crucial role in determining their understanding of primary care practice and their choice of career in primary care. Issues to be addressed include remuneration, workload and the prejudice against primary care as a career pathway. Suggestions included introducing early exposure to fun and challenging primary care postings in the medical curriculum and producing well trained, skilled and enthusiastic role models.

scholarly journals “Stages of change, smoking behavior and acceptability of a textmessaging intervention for tobacco cessation among cigarette, dokha and shishasmokers: A qualitative research study.”

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e029144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusra Elhidaia Elobaid ◽  
Andrea Leinberger Jabari ◽  
Aisha Al Hamiz ◽  
Abdul Rizzak Al Kaddour ◽  
Sherif Bakir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

ObjectivesTo explore: (A) the underlying motivators and barriers to smoking cessation among young Arabic speaking smokers and (B) to examine the suitability and preferences for tobacco cessation interventions (specifically text messages) and study the possibility of enrollment methods for a randomised controlled study using text messages as an intervention for tobacco cessation.DesignQualitative research using focus group discussions and content analysis.Setting(s)Two universities, one of them is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The third setting is the largest hospital in the UAE and the flagship institution for the public health system in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.ParticipantsSix focus group discussions with a total of 57 participants. Forty-seven men and 10 women. Fifty-three of them were current smokers.ResultsThe analysis of six focus groups was carried out. Main themes arose from the data included: preferences for tobacco cessation interventions and acceptability and feasibility of text messaging as tobacco cessation intervention. Different motives and barriers for quitting smoking including shisha and dokha were explored.ConclusionInterventions using text messaging for smoking cessation have not been used in the Middle East and they could potentially be effective; however, tailoring and closely examining the content and acceptability of text messages to be used is important before the conduction of trials involving their use. Social media is perceived to be more effective and influential, with a higher level of penetration into communities of young smokers.

The effective coping strategies against burnout: perceptions of Pakistani medical students.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Maryam Abbasi ◽  
Mohammad Al Eraky ◽  
Rahila Yasmeen ◽  
Rabia Ashfaq ◽  
Admin
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Professional Efficacy ◽  
Burn Out

Abstract Objective: To explore the effective coping strategies used by medical students against burnout. Method: The study was a mixed method study design. The Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) was used to identify burnout after which focus group discussions were carried out. Results: In our study, 56% of the students had high levels of Emotional Exhaustion, 23% had moderate and 21 % has low levels of EE, on the Cynicism scale 63% scored high,32% scored moderate while 5% scored low on cynicism scale. For professional efficacy 28% students scored low,50% scored moderate and 22% scored high on professional efficacy scale. Students with high scores on EE and Cynicism and low scores on Professional Efficacy were considered as burnt out. To determine coping strategies, focus group discussions and interviews with students with high burnout and low burnout were carried out. Seeking emotional support for coping was very common in the high burn out group. This involved getting moral support, sympathy and understanding. Parents played the main role in providing support to these students. Turning to religion, acceptance and venting were also seen as commonly used coping strategies. In the low burn out group, friends were the main source of support. Turning to religion was also found in this group. Doing extracurricular activities, positive reinterpretation and mental disengagement were also used to cope with stressful events. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to promote positive coping strategies in students who are suffering from or at risk of developing burnout. Continuous...

scholarly journals Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pharmacists Working in United Arab Emirates: Findings from Focus Group Discussions—A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azhar T. Rahma ◽  
Iffat Elbarazi ◽  
Bassam R. Ali ◽  
George P. Patrinos ◽  
Luai A. Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Genomic Medicine ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
The Right

(1) Background: Genomics and pharmacogenomics are relatively new fields in medicine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and current practices among pharmacists is an important pillar to establish the roadmap for implementing genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics; (2) Methods: A qualitative method was used, with focus group discussions (FGDs) being conducted among pharmacists working in public and private hospitals in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Snowball sampling was used. Thematic inductive analysis was performed by two researchers independently. NVIVO software was used to establish the themes; (3) Results: Lack of knowledge of genomics and pharmacogenomics among pharmacists was one of the most prominent findings. Therefore, the role of pharmacist in making the right decisions was highlighted to be a barrier for pharmacogenomics implementation in the UAE. Pharmacists have a positive attitude toward pharmacogenomics, but they are preoccupied with concern of confidentiality. In addition, religion and culture shadowed their attitudes toward genetic testing; (4) Conclusions: It is highly recommended to introduce new courses and training workshops for healthcare providers to improve the opportunities for genomics and pharmacogenomics application in the UAE. Pharmacists agreed that the health authorities should take the lead for improving trust and confidence in the system for a better future in the era of genomics and pharmacogenomics.

scholarly journals Perceptions and Attitudes towards Medical Research in the United Arab Emirates: Results from the Abu Dhabi Cohort Study (ADCS) Focus Group Discussions

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e0149609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusra El Obaid ◽  
Aisha Al Hamiz ◽  
Abdishakur Abdulle ◽  
Richard B. Hayes ◽  
Scott Sherman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes

scholarly journals Factors influencing medical students and psychiatry residents in Ghana to consider psychiatry as a career option – a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent I.O Agyapong ◽  
Amanda Ritchie ◽  
Kacy Doucet ◽  
Gerald Agyapong-Opoku ◽  
Reham Shalaby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Psychiatry Residents ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Psychiatric Residents ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Career Option

Abstract Background Currently, Ghana has 14 actively practicing psychiatrists and about 26 psychiatric residents for a population of over 28 million people. Previous research suggests a lack of interest by Ghanaian medical students and medical graduates in considering psychiatry as a career option. Objectives To examine the perception of medical students and psychiatry residents in Ghana about the barriers which hinder Ghanaian medical graduates from choosing careers in psychiatry and how these barriers could be overcome. Methods This was a cross-sectional qualitative study with data gathered using focus group discussion. Twenty clinical year medical students were selected through block randomization from the four public medical schools in Ghana and invited to participate in one of two focus group discussions. Also, four psychiatric residents were invited to participate in the focus group discussions. Results The main barriers identified by participants could be grouped under four main themes, namely: (a) myths and stigma surrounding mental health and patients, (b) negative perceptions of psychiatrists, (c) infrastructure and funding issues, (d) lack of exposure and education. To address the barriers presented, participants discussed potential solutions that could be categorized into five main themes, namely: (a) stigma reduction, (b) educating professionals, (c) addressing deficient infrastructure, (d) risk management, and (e) incentivizing the pursuit of psychiatry among students. Conclusion Health policy planners and medical training institutions could consider implementing proposed solutions to identify barriers as part of efforts to improve the psychiatrist to patient ratio in Ghana.

Dari Idealisme ke Pragmatisme: Pergeseran Paradigma dalam Pengembangan Hukum Ekonomi Syariah di Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-210
Author(s):  
Addiarrahman Addiarrahman ◽  
Illy Yanti
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Business World ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
The Public ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
Legal Consideration ◽  
Economic Law ◽  
Islamic Economic

This study seeks to understand the pragmatism of the development of sharia economic law, and its implications for Islamic financial products in Indonesia. The data comes from the results of interviews and focus group discussions with key informants from academics, practitioners, authorities, and the public. This research finds that pragmatism in the development of Islamic economic law is an approach that still dominates the DSN-MUI fatwas. The pragmatism style used is complex-eclectic pragmatism which is represented through makhārij al-fiqhiyyah, which is to choose a mild opinion by sticking to the strongest method or also called "taysīr al-manhajī". The use of this method is intended to ensure that the fatwa is truly able to answer the needs of the business world, as well as being in line with sharia principles. DSN-MUI also does not use maslahah as a legal consideration in a free or liberal way. Rather, it returns maslahah in consideration of the method, so that it is permissible to use the bay’ al-'inān contract only in a forced state (ḍarurah).

scholarly journals Perspectives of future pharmacists on the potential for development and implementation of pharmacist prescribing in Qatar

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-123
Author(s):  
Mohammad Issam Diab ◽  
Angham Ibrahim ◽  
Oraib Abdallah ◽  
Alla El-Awaisi ◽  
Monica Zolezzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pharmacist Prescribing ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Special Training Program

AbstractBackground Pharmacists in many developed countries have been granted prescribing authorities under what is known as “non-medical prescribing” or “pharmacist prescribing”. However, such prescribing privileges are not available in many developing countries. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the perspectives of future pharmacists (recent pharmacy graduates and pharmacy students) on pharmacist prescribing and its potential implementation in Qatar. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used: (1) a cross-sectional survey using a pre-tested questionnaire and; (2) focus group discussions to allow for an in-depth understanding of the issue, with a focus on pharmacists prescribing competencies as well as barriers for its implementation. Main outcome measures Future pharmacists’ perspectives and attitudes towards pharmacist prescribing in Qatar. Results The majority of the respondents (94.4%) indicated awareness of the prescribing competency related to selecting treatment options. Furthermore, the majority (92.4%) believed that pharmacists should undergo prescribing training and accreditation before been legally allowed to prescribe, a point that was reiterated in the focus group discussions. Participants generally expressed support for collaborative and supplementary prescribing models when developing prescribing frameworks for Qatar. Four categories emerged under the theme barriers to implementation of pharmacist prescribing: lack of prescribing competency, pharmacist mindset, lack of accessibility to patient records and counseling rooms, and diversity of education and training background. Conclusion The majority of recent pharmacy graduates and students were in favor of pharmacist prescribing been implemented in Qatar. However, a special training program was deemed necessary to qualify pharmacists to prescribe safely and effectively.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document