COVID-19 symptom monitoring system – The CoSMoS Study

This project has developed a COVID-19 symptom monitoring system (CoSMoS) using an agile development approach. CoSMoS includes a web-based monitoring system for healthcare providers, symptom monitoring application for patients and form builder system for algorithm development. The researchers have evaluated the utility and usability of CoSMoS from both the patients and healthcare providers’ perspectives. CoSMoS was successfully implemented in the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC) to monitor patients with COVID-19 in a primary care setting during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

For more information, please visit: https://cosmos.care/

Researchers:

Prof. Dr. Ng Chirk Jenn, Assoc Prof Dr. Adina Abdullah, Dr. Lim Hooi Min, Dr. Teo Chin Hai, Assoc. Prof. Haireen Abdul Hadi, Dr. Ng Wei Leik, Assoc Prof. Chiew Thiam Kian, Assoc Prof. Chan Chee Seng, Dr. Liew Chee Sun from Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology.

Publications:

1. Lim HM, Abdullah A, Ng CJ et al. Utility and usability of an automated COVID-19 symptom monitoring system (CoSMoS) in primary care during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative feasibility study. International Journal of Medical Informatics 2021; 155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104567
2. Lim HM, Teo CH, Ng CJ, et al. An automated patient self-monitoring system to reduce health care system burden during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: Development and implementation study. JMIR Medical Informatics 2021;9(2):e23427. https://doi.org/10.2196/23427

Grant:

1. UM COVID-19 Implementation Research (RG562-2020HWB) – 2020-2021
2. Private grant from Bursa Malaysia

Online health information in primary care

Online health information is essential to empower patients with health knowledge for self-care in primary care. Our research focuses on patients’ online health information-seeking behaviour, eHealth literacy, appraisal skills and the impact of online misinformation. The current project examines the impact of online health information-seeking on statins use among patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Researchers:

Dr. Lim Hooi Min, Assoc Prof Dr. Adina Abdullah, Prof. Dr. Ng Chirk Jenn

Publications: Lim HM, Wong SS, Yip KC et al. Online health information-seeking behaviour of patients attending a primary care clinic in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study. Family Practice 2022; 39(1):38-45. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmab099

Grant: 

1. World Health Organization (WHO) contract research 2021-2022
2. UMSC C.A.R.E Fund Research Grant 2021-2023

The Chronic Disease Monitoring System (ChroSMoS)

Teleconsultation allows continuous monitoring of chronic disease without the need to attend the clinic and be exposed to the risk of transmission of infectious disease including the COVID-19. Despite the established benefits of telemedicine, it may not be suitable for all patients. Therefore, a group of researchers developed the Chronic Disease Monitoring System (ChroSMoS) – a novel teleconsultation risk stratification system for patients with T2DM. This system will be integrated into the electronic medical record (EMR) which will help doctors to carefully select the patients who are suitable for a teleconsultation in a safe and systematic manner.

Researchers:

Dr Tun Firzara Abdul Malik, Assoc Prof Dr Nik Sherina Haidi Hanafi, Prof. Haireen Abdul Hadi, Assoc Prof Dr Norita Hussein, Prof. Dr. Ng Chirk Jenn, Dr Teo Chin Hai, Dr. Lim Hooi Min, Assoc Prof Dr. Adina Abdullah and researchers from Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology and Faculty of Language & Linguistics, Universiti Malaya.

Grant: UM COVID-19 Implementation Research (RG565-2020HWB)

An Innovative Approach To Implementation Of A Decision Support System To Improve Management Of Low Back Pain: Translating Evidence Into Practice - The Dess- Back Study

It has been difficult for primary care doctors to manage low back pain cases especially those with non-specific causes. This study aims to develop and evaluate a decision support system within the electronic medical record system to improve the management of low back pain in primary care setting. The decision support system utilises the STarT Back Screening Tool, which has been validated in the Western countries.

Researchers:

Dr Tun Firzara Binti Abdul Malik, Prof Dr Ng Chirk Jenn, A/Prof Dr Chiew Thiam Kian, Hana Salwani Mohd Zaini, Prof Dr Christian Mallen, Dr Ahmad Ihsan Bin Abu Bakar, Dr Tom Shepherd, A/Prof Dr Anwar Bin Suhaimi, Dr Mahmoud Danaee, Dr Ng Wei Leik, Dr Teo Chin Hai

Grant: UMSC C.A.R.E Fund Research Grant

Empowering Patients With Dengue To Seek Evidence-based Health Information For Self-care Using A Gamified Patient Education Tool – The Desca Study

The public has been practising non-evidence based self-care methods when having dengue fever, which may lead to deterioration of health if proper care is not practiced. This study aims to develop and evaluate a gamified tool to educate the patients and public about the appropriate self-care methods when having dengue. The aim of the intervention are to empower the patients to practice evidence-based self-care at home and seek medical help at proper timings.

Researchers:

A/Prof Dr Ang Tan Fong, A/Prof Dr Adina Binti Abdullah, A/Prof Dr Adam Dunn, Dr Lim Hooi Min, Dr Liew Chee Sun, Dr Teo Chin Hai, Dr Sharifah Ayeshah Binti Syed Mohd Noori, Dr Kathleen Yin

Publications: Ng TC, Teo CH, Toh JY, et al. Factors influencing healthcare seeking in patients with dengue: Systematic review. Trop Med Int Health. 2022;27(1):13-27. doi:10.1111/tmi.13695

Grant: Impact-oriented Interdisciplinary Research Grant (IIRG)

Development and Evaluation of a Dengue Self-monitoring System to Reduce Treatment Delay in Malaysia – the DeSMoS Study

Majority of the dengue cases are self-limiting, being managed in outpatient setting. However, 1-2% will develop severe dengue that may lead to severe morbidities and even death, and these could develop rapidly within a day. When at home, patients are sometimes unsure when to seek help when new symptoms develop and often delay in receiving treatment. We aim to develop a dengue self-management mobile app, allowing patients and families to monitor their dengue progression at home and guide them systematically to take timely actions and seek help appropriately, especially when severe dengue symptoms occur.

Researchers:

Prof. Dr. Ng Chirk Jenn, Dr Ng Wei Leik, A/Prof. Dr Chew Thiam Kian, A/Prof. Dr Haireen Abd Hadi, Dr Abdul Muhaimin Noor Azhar, Dr Mohd Khairi Mohd Noor, Dr Ong Hang Cheng, Dr Ong Sim Ying, Dr Lee Yew Kong

Grant: Impact-oriented Interdisciplinary Research Grant (IIRG)

The Values In Shared Interactions Tool (VISIT) For Integrating Patient Agendas Into Consultations: A Single-centre Block-randomized Trial

Patient concerns are often missed in consultations leading to a ‘silent misdiagnosis’ of what is affecting a patient. This study aims to leverage the potential of the electronic medical records (EMR) platform as tool to communicate patient agenda to doctors via a patient agenda website (The VISIT Tool). Patients entered information about their concerns before the consultation, and these would be displayed on their doctor’s EMR screen. In a pilot study, doctors said that knowing the patient agenda list beforehand helped them structure their consultation better. A cluster-randomized trial in patients with chronic disease found that integrating patient agendas into the EMR did not affect patient satisfaction compared to usual care but was associated with a slightly increased number of agenda items without an increase in consultation time. This shows it may be useful for a busy primary care setting with multiple comorbidities and short consultation times.

Researchers:

Dr Lee Yew Kong, Prof Dr Ng Chirk Jenn, A/Prof Dr Adina Binti Abdullah, A/Prof Dr Chiew Thiam Kian, Dr Tun Firzara Abdul Malik, Dr Charity Lee Chin Ai, Dr Sharifah Ayeshah Binti Syed Mohd Noori

Publications: Lee YK, Ng CJ, Low WY: Addressing unmet needs of patients with chronic diseases: Impact of the VISIT website during consultations. J Eval Clin Pract 2017, 23(6):1281-1288

Grant:

1. Bantuan Kecil Penyelidikan Universiti Malaya
2. RU Grant Faculty Program

WeHealth

Summary
Management of chronic diseases is a major problem for many health systems around the world. Due to aging populations and severe shortages of nursing and medical resources, meeting the demand for these services is becoming increasingly difficult and costly. In such an environment, health systems are obliged to make optimal use of human resources and reorganize modes of homecare delivery. To this end, many industrialized countries have established policies to make the shift toward ambulatory care, and many authorities and organizations have strongly recommended homecare for patients with chronic diseases.

WeHealth is a mobile solution for managing remote monitoring through systematic tracking of patient’s activities. WeHealth based on the concept to create a need and motivation for patients to continuously engage in long term behavioural change. The app tracks a number of metrics such as Physical Activity, Sleep, Diet, Body vital signs, Medication & Mental Activity, providing a more accurate and comprehensive view for healthcare professionals.

Researchers

Assoc Prof. Adina Abdullah (PI), Prof Dr. Loo Chu Kiong, Assoc Prof Dr. Nik Sherina Hanafi, Assoc Prof Dr. Pauline Lai Siew Mei, Dr. Fadzilah Hanum Mohd Mydin, Dr. Luqman bin Ibrahim, Dr. Lim Quan Hziung, Dr. Christine Shamala Shelvaraj, Dr. Sharmila Sunita, Dr. Teoh Chin Hai, Prof Dr. Moy Foong Ming, Dr. Aznul Qalid bin Md Sabri, Mr. Teoh Seng Jing

Publications / Patents

1. A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR IN-HOUSE WELLNESS MONITORING SYSTEM, Patent PI 2012701302
2. ADAPTIVE NON-CONTACT HEART RATE MONITORING, Patent PI 2013702090
3. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE, Patent PI 2015701307

Project Funding

1. PlaTCOM Ventures Sdn Bhd & UMCH Technology Sdn Bhd - High Impact Programme 2 (HIP2) / CONCEPT TO COMMERCIALIZATION GAP FUND (CCGF)
2. Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) – National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS)

Usability and utility of a mobile application to improve medication adherence among ambulatory care patients in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Medication administration-related errors are common among ambulatory care patients. Medication administration-related errors impacts are poorer health outcomes, increased health service utilization, increased healthcare and patient cost, and deaths. With the advancement in technology mobile applications can be used to decrease medication administration-related errors and improve medication safety. Aim and objectives: To develop a mobile application to improve medication adherence among ambulatory care patients in Malaysia, and to explore its usability and the utility. 

Researchers

Associate Prof. Dr. Lai Siew Mei Pauline, Prof Dr. Ng Chirk Jenn (Department of Primary Care Medicine)

Publication: Chew, S., P. S. M. Lai and C. J. Ng (2020). "Usability and Utility of a Mobile App to Improve Medication Adherence Among Ambulatory Care Patients in Malaysia: Qualitative Study." JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 8(1): e15146.

Grants: RP015C-13HTM RM 66,500.00