Telemedicine in Malaysia – coming of age
Conclusions
Telemedicine is at the cutting edge of modern medical practice. It allows doctors to extend their service and availability to their patients beyond the physical office. For non-ambulatory patients it could be a boon for a doctor to virtually make a home visit and it could make a big difference to things like diabetic and blood pressure control for home bound patients.
Will it take off in Malaysia? I think in time it will. Once patients and doctors see the benefits, Telemedicine is a no-brainer
Further reading:
What Are the Benefits and Advantages of Telemedicine?
Malaysian doctors may also join the discussion ...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - May 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Featured site - Reviews Telemedicine Source Type: blogs
Telemedicine in Malaysia – coming of age
Conclusions
Telemedicine is at the cutting edge of modern medical practice. It allows doctors to extend their service and availability to their patients beyond the physical office. For non-ambulatory patients it could be a boon for a doctor to virtually make a home visit and it could make a big difference to things like diabetic and blood pressure control for home bound patients.
Will it take off in Malaysia? I think in time it will. Once patients and doctors see the benefits, Telemedicine is a no-brainer
Further reading:
What Are the Benefits and Advantages of Telemedicine?
Malaysian doctors may also join the discussion ...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - May 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Featured site - Reviews Telemedicine Source Type: blogs
Improving Diabetic Care in Malaysia
(image credit : The Star)
By Dato’ Dr. Lee Yan San
(Consultant Physician & Medical advisor to Penang Diabetic Society)
Diabetes Mellitus is becoming more common and is a major cause of severe medical complications and early death. Fortunately, although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled and those who are well controlled can enjoy good living and even normal life span.
Here are some facts which may help to improve diabetic care in Malaysia.
Regular follow up by your doctor is essential to avoid any chronic diabetic complications. I have noticed that many of those who do not have regular follow up by docto...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - April 19, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Guest - Health tips Diabetes Source Type: blogs
Official guidelines for the use of social media in healthcare
In recent times there has been a spate of pictures and videos of patients (some even with private parts exposed) being circulated in the social media, especially Facebook.
Some may have originated from medical staff and some from members of the public.
Whatever the source, people need to know that these acts are a serious violation of patient privacy and should never take place.
We have been informed of a recent set of guidelines from the Ministry of Health on the use of social media in healthcare provision. You can view a copy of it here
These guidelines are timely as there is never been a more urgent need to protect pati...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - April 9, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Ethics - Nation - Tips Facebook Guidelines KKM MOH Social media Source Type: blogs
The worst reasons why people visit A & E
A&E stands for Accident & Emergencies but for some reason people seem to think it stands for “All & Everything”.
The A&E is not a polyclinic to treat all your minor ailments. Non-urgent cases do clog up the A&E services and even with triage systems (green zone for the non-urgent), patients do not understand and complain about the waiting.
Which brings us to this news item we came across about the NHS UK on The worst reasons people visit A&E when they shouldn’t.
We thought we’d ask our doctors for their experience on worst reasons for people coming to the A&E in Mal...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - March 29, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Ethics - Health tips - Nation - Offbeat news A&E Eemrgency ER Source Type: blogs
The worst reasons why people visit A&E
A&E stands for Accident & Emergencies but for some reason people seem to think it stands for “All & Everything”.
The A&E is not a polyclinic to treat all your minor ailments. Non-urgent cases do clog up the A&E services and even with triage systems (green zone for the non-urgent), patients do not understand and complain about the waiting.
Which brings us to this news item we came across about the NHS UK on The worst reasons people visit A&E when they shouldn’t.
We thought we’d ask our doctors for their experience on worst reasons for people coming to the A&E in Mal...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - March 29, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Ethics - Health tips - Nation - Offbeat news A&E Eemrgency ER Source Type: blogs
Common licensing exam for Malaysian medical graduates
3 years ago we heard some noise about an MMLE or Malaysian Medical Licensing Examination which was to be a common licensing examination for all graduates but apparently this proposal did not see the light of day.
Now we hear the MOH is mulling a licensing examination for foreign medical graduates
The Health Ministry is considering a proposal for all graduates from foreign medical schools to sit for a licensing
examination before being granted registration in the country.
Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry was looking into measures suggested by the Malaysian Medical Council in order to ...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - March 18, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Education - Nation Examination licensing Medical school MMC MMLE MOH USMLE Source Type: blogs
Tumour markers revisited
It’s still happening in Malaysia where some private labs offer routine “cancer marker” screening to otherwise normal people. When used routinely there are many problems as this Malaysian doctor pointed out in our Facebook page:
Hi guys, I am a Malaysian doctor currently working in Australia. I am wondering if there’s an avenue I could pursue to help push for pathology labs in Malaysia to require doctor’s requests to perform harmful tests such as tumour marker for “cancer screening” in asymptomatic population. I am sure all of us have had experience with our family and friends appro...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - February 18, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Ethics - Health tips cancer laboratory markers Screening tumour Source Type: blogs
The dengue vaccine – an open letter to the MOH
(image credit: the MalayMail online)
There’s no doubt about it – the statistics are grim. Dengue has seen a steep rise in 2014 and even higher numbers were seen in 2015. Early on in 2016, we have to brace ourselves for a spike due to the El Nino effect
The Star reported the very grim data:
According to the ministry, 336 people – an average of 28 a month – died from dengue last year compared to 215 in 2014, a rise of 56.3%.
There was also an increase of 11.2% in the number of dengue cases throughout last year, up from 108,698 in 2014 to 120,836 cases.
That’s 333 cases a month or 110 cases each day!
The min...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 16, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation dengue Vaccine Source Type: blogs
The dengue vaccine – an open letter to the MOH
(image credit: the MalayMail online)
There’s no doubt about it – the statistics are grim. Dengue has seen a steep rise in 2014 and even higher numbers were seen in 2015. Early on in 2016, we have to brace ourselves for a spike due to the El Nino effect
The Star reported the very grim data:
According to the ministry, 336 people – an average of 28 a month – died from dengue last year compared to 215 in 2014, a rise of 56.3%.
There was also an increase of 11.2% in the number of dengue cases throughout last year, up from 108,698 in 2014 to 120,836 cases.
That’s 333 cases a month or 110 cases each day!
The min...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - January 16, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation dengue Vaccine Source Type: blogs
The changing landscape of junior doctor jobs in Malaysia IV
An interesting announcement was recently made by the MOH/MMC on the waiting period for housemanship, a need for screening candidates and last but not least a line about the MMC not issuing the temporary registration until the Public Services Commission offers the candidate a post as a house officer. See:
Kenyataan Akhbar KPK/YDP MPM 29 Dis 2015: Penyelarasan Pengeluaran Sijil Pendaftaran Sementara bagi Graduan Perubatan
and the Star article MMC: Medical graduates to get endorsement first before licence due to long waiting period
Is there the possibility that house officer jobs in Malaysia are not assured in the future? If ...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - December 29, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Nation - Training House officer Houseman Jobs JPA MMC MOH PSC PSD Source Type: blogs
Incentives to stay healthy
Recently a medical doctor called for incentives for Malaysians to stay healthy. I happen to think she is on the right track though some were rather critical.
I think both the carrot and stick approach can be utilised to encourage people to stay healthy. Well perhaps not “cash incentives” but one of the ways that could be employed is to make health insurance compulsory and the incentive being reducing premiums (much like NCBs for car insurance) if people keep to their ideal weight, don’t smoke and in general stay healthy. This would be a win win solution for all.
What say you? (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources)
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - December 8, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - General Health Insurance Source Type: blogs
An open letter to MPs of Malaysia
13 November 2015 An open letter to the Members of Parliament of Malaysia
We, the undersigned medical professional bodies and non-governmental organisations, would like to register our concern regarding the increasing presence of electronic cigarettes and vaping in our society. We note with dismay the Cabinet’s rejection of the Ministry of Health’s proposal to ban the sales and use of electronic cigarettes.
1. Malaysia proudly signed and ratified the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This is a reflection of the nation’s commitment to protect present and futu...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - November 13, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: Miscellaneous Source Type: blogs
Query about Dialysis cost
Jay wrote in our MMR Facebook page:
I hope someone can help me answer this question on GST. Before GST in April 2015, the cost of single dialysis treatment was RM90. After the implementation of GST, the cost went up to RM108. That’s 20% increase. I thought most medical services were GST exempt. Even if the consumables were to incur GST of 6%, surely they would not amount to 20% increase.
Hi Jay. After sourcing for some information from our Doctors, including nephrologists in the Doctors forum, Dobbs, here are some points which may help you understand the situation
1) The actual cost of dialysis is variable, ranging f...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - September 27, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Feedback Dialysis Haemodialysis Source Type: blogs
Updated: Doctors’ Blogroll
We have updated the MMR Doctors Blogroll which tracks all Malaysian doctor’s blogs with the addition of The Road to Heaven which is a great blog by Cardiologist, Dr. Oteh Maskon. His latest blog post on What I learnt from ESC 2015 is very informative and shared in our Doctors Facebook group, Dobbs/FB
We follow all Doctors blog posts and if you are a Malaysian doctor with a blog but not listed in the Blogroll, please let us know and we’ll be happy to list you.
We will highlight featured blog posts and share them with other doctors.
All Malaysian doctors are welcome to join DOBBS (Doctors Only Bulletin Board Syst...
Source: Malaysian Medical Resources - September 5, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: palmdoc Tags: - Dobbs - Featured site - Updated Links blog Cardiology Source Type: blogs
