Care In Malaysia Research Articles

Effectiveness of the Stroke e-Learning Module on Malaysian Doctors' Knowledge of Acute Ischaemic Stroke Management.

The Stroke e-Learning Module (SEM) is a nationwide initiative to improve stroke care in Malaysia. This study aimed to assess the module's effectiveness in improving knowledge on acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) management among Malaysian doctors. This was a pre-post study design. Medical officers, specialists and general practitioners from various disciplines who work in healthcare facilities in Malaysia were recruited virtually from those who registered for the SEM on the Docquity platform between 1 February 2021 and 31 January 2022. The Acute Stroke Management Questionnaire (ASMaQ), an existing validated questionnaire, was used to measure the doctors' knowledge of AIS management before and after the SEM. The ASMaQ had three domains: i) general stroke knowledge (GSK), ii) hyperacute stroke management (HSM) and iii) advanced stroke management (ASM). The paired t- and the McNemar-tests were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the module. One hundred and seventy-one participants voluntarily responded to the pre- and post-module questionnaires. The paired t-test revealed statistically significant improvement for the ASM knowledge scores (mean difference = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8, 3.2; P < 0.001). The baseline proportion of participants with good knowledge of GSK, HSM and ASM were 92.4%, 64.9%, and 76%, respectively. The McNemar test showed that approximately 14% of the participants had significant improvement in ASM knowledge (P < 0.001). However, no significant changes were noted for GSK (-0.6%) and HSM (4.1%). The SEM has been shown to increase Malaysian doctors' knowledge on ASM. However, greater effort should be made to improve GSK and HSM knowledge, particularly in areas related to stroke thrombolysis.

Primary Immunodeficiency Disease in Malaysia: Where Are We Now?

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs), also called Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI), are a group of diseases caused by a single gene defect affecting the differentiation or development of the immune system. These diseases usually manifest with increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity, autoinflammatory diseases, allergy, bone marrow failure, and/or malignancy. The PID Life Index is a unified continuum of PID care aimed at reducing inter-country gaps and improving patients’ care outcomes. In Malaysia, there has been significant progress in PID care in close to half a century since the first case of PID was discovered. On the other hand, there are bottlenecks facing the progress in PID care in Malaysia. This review was written to assess PID care in Malaysia based on the six components of the PID Life Index.

PERLINDUNGAN KANAK-KANAK DI MALAYSIA: MENILAI KEBERKESANAN JAGAAN PELIHARA DARI PERSPEKTIF UNDANG-UNDANG

Foster care serves as a crucial support system for children in need of care and protection in Malaysia who cannot live with their biological families due to issues such as neglect, abuse, or abandonment. This article examines the concept of foster care, its legal implementation, and challenges. By scrutinizing existing legislation, the paper aims to identify areas for improvement to enhance the effectiveness of foster care as part of the child protection system in Malaysia. The foster care system in Malaysia is primarily governed by the Child Act 2001 and managed by the Social Welfare Department in providing family-based care, especially for abandoned children. This article employs a qualitative study, revealing challenges and limitations within the existing legal framework. The findings indicate that there is no specific law governing foster care in Malaysia. Therefore, the article emphasizes the need to enhance the effectiveness of foster care legislation by increasing resources and support for foster parents, implementing standardized training programs for them, strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and encouraging cooperation and information sharing among relevant agencies. This is to ensure positive outcomes and long-term welfare for children in foster care in Malaysia.

Child Care Management from The Point Of View Of The Book Of Ihya' 'Ulūm Al-Dīn In Malaysia

This research investigates the management of child care from the perspective of the Book of Ihya' 'Ulūm al-Dīn in Malaysia. Against the backdrop of a country rich in Islamic heritage and cultural diversity, this study explores the relevance of the concepts in the Book of Ihya' 'Ulūm al-Dīn in the context of childcare in Malaysia. The library research research method is used to collect, evaluate and analyze related literature, including relevant primary and secondary sources. The results of the analysis show that concepts such as religious education, character formation, and the development of moral values in the Book of Ihya' 'Ulūm al-Dīn have a strong suitability to the life of Malaysian society. This research also highlights the important role of parents, teachers and society in implementing Islamic principles in child care management practices. The implications of the findings of this research include the need to integrate the values of the Book of Ihya' 'Ulūm al-Dīn in educational policies and community development programs to form a generation with noble and responsible morals. In conclusion, this research provides an in-depth understanding of the contribution of Islamic teachings in the management of child care in Malaysia and paves the way for further research in understanding the practical application of these values in society.

Juridical Examination of Foster Care in Malaysia: Navigating Legal Dimensions

oster care plays a crucial role for children in Malaysia who lack a family environment, making it challenging for them to stay with their biological families. This study examines foster care as an alternative care option for children in Malaysia, delving into its concept, legal aspect as well as international and Islamic perspectives. The aim is to identify ways to enhance foster care within Malaysia's child protection system, focusing on abandoned and parentless children. The Child Act 2001 and the practice of the Department of Social Welfare oversees foster care, aiming to provide family-based care and reunite children with their families whenever possible. Using a qualitative approach, the study uncovers shortcomings in the current legal framework. Despite limited provisions for foster care in Malaysia, the emphasis is on bolstering legislation by improving resources and support for foster parents, implementing standardized training, strengthening monitoring, and fostering collaboration among agencies. These efforts are crucial for ensuring positive outcomes and the well-being of fostered children in Malaysia.

Paediatric palliative care around the world: Malaysia

The evolution of paediatric palliative care in Malaysia has followed a distinct trajectory compared to adult palliative care. While adult palliative care was well-established by the mid-1990s, paediatric palliative care was still then largely ad hoc, with individual paediatricians and NGOs taking on the responsibility. Despite progress over the last decade, challenges persist. There is a shortage of trained paediatricians in this subspecialty, and financial constraints hinder progress. Decision-making in paediatric palliative care is also influenced by cultural values, religious beliefs, and societal norms. Parents are steered by cultural practices and the guidance of elder family members in a setting of communitarian traditions that are prevalent in Asian cultures. Discussions about end-of-life matters are hampered by cultural taboos. Additionally, the hierarchical medical culture, where doctors are seen as authoritative, hinder patients, including parents, from taking an active role in decision-making. The paper exemplifies these complexities through a case study, where the family's hopes and concerns were overlooked in a hectic and hurried hospital environment. The narrative calls for a compassionate, collaborative ecosystem that bridges cultural gaps and embraces shared decision-making in paediatric palliative care. It emphasizes the need to harmonize palliative care with societal values, involving healthcare providers, families, and the community. However, recognizing individual preferences and avoiding cultural assumptions are crucial. Healthcare professionals must develop skills in cultural diversity, delivering distressing news with compassion, and effectively communicate to involve families in decision-making, all while respecting their beliefs and values.

Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding perinatal bereavement care in Malaysia: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Perinatal bereavement occurs when a parent experiences the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Coping with this loss can be incredibly challenging and emotionally taxing for the parents involved. They often have complex and intense emotional and psychosocial needs to navigate during this difficult time. Objective: This study aimed to investigate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding perinatal bereavement care (PBC) and its correlation with their selected sociodemographic factors. Methods: In 2021, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted utilising a structured questionnaire for data collection. A total of 182 nurses were sampled conveniently, comprising 45 registered nurses, 124 registered midwives, and 13 community nurses. The data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Version 28.0. Results: The finding shows that 67% had a poor understanding of perinatal bereavement. However, the majority (85.2%) had positive attitudes towards providing care for those affected by perinatal bereavement, and 58.8% displayed favourable care behaviour. The results also indicated that nurses who had experience working with grieving parents had a higher level of knowledge regarding perinatal bereavement care (p&lt;0.005). Additionally, the study found that nurses who had been working in the field for longer had more positive attitudes toward bereavement care (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, the practices of perinatal bereavement care were found to be related to work designation and qualifications (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: It is recommended that perinatal bereavement care education be included in undergraduate healthcare education, postgraduate education, and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) workshops. Evidence-based policies and protocols on perinatal bereavement care are also recommended to support parents and family members during their experience of bereavement.

Fragility Fracture Network Malaysia (FFNM) Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) Framework FFNM promotes multidisciplinary approach on fragility fracture care. It aims to create a national network of fragility fracture care. FLS is a relatively new approach fragility fracture care in Malaysia. The Framework functions as a systematic guide to achieve these goals. It provides a common platform for all FLS to

Fragility Fracture Network Malaysia (FFNM) Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) Framework FFNM promotes multidisciplinary approach on fragility fracture care. It aims to create a national network of fragility fracture care. FLS is a relatively new approach fragility fracture care in Malaysia. The Framework functions as a systematic guide to achieve these goals. It provides a common platform for all FLS to

Abstract 30: Development of a Breast Cancer Survivorship Health System Needs Assessment Questionnaire (BSH-Q) for Malaysian Health Institutions

Abstract Purpose: There is a need to develop and implement a Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Plan in Malaysia based on the available healthcare resources and services. The objective of the study is to develop a Breast Cancer Survivorship Health System Needs Assessment Questionnaire (BSH-Q) using the Delphi method. Methods: The three rounds of e-Delphi surveys were conducted from November, 2020 to April, 2021. Development of BSH-Q was accomplished amongst key stakeholders (multidisciplinary healthcare professionals involved in cancer care in public hospitals, NGOs and breast cancer survivors). The first Delphi round was intended to explore the barriers, facilitators and needs of healthcare providers focused on five main survivorship care domains. The questions were open ended, allowing expert participants to brainstorm their ideas. Delphi round two involved a ranking exercise of the newly developed questionnaire based on the first Delphi round. A five point Likert scale was used to rate the importance of each item. This was followed with a pilot study to determine the feasibility of the research process, and face validity of the questionnaire. The pilot study was tested on healthcare providers working in University Malaya Medical Centre representing the five respective domains: Rehabilitation, life-style, psychosocial, financial, and genetic counselling. The participants were selected based on their involvement in managing the healthcare issues related to the five domains. Results: A total of 55 participants responded to the Delphi survey. Following the first Delphi survey, a total of 95 questions were developed in the domains of psychosocial, lifestyle, financial, rehabilitation, genetic counselling, cancer surveillance and management. In the second Delphi survey, 39 participants responded, they selected a total of 196 questions as important and finally 182 relevant questions were developed for the final BSH-Q version. The newly developed BSH-Q underwent a pilot study with no major modifications to the questionnaire. Conclusion: The Delphi survey method is suitable to develop the BSH-Q questionnaire. The newly developed BSH-Q is a valuable tool for Malaysia to analyse existing services in the country to provide a needs assessment too for the development of an implementation framework cancer survivorship care in Malaysia. Citation Format: Tania Islam, Syahidatul Akmal Azmi, Suniza Jamarish, Fatiha Hana Shaharuddin, Julia Patrick Engkasan, Nur Aishah Taib. Development of a Breast Cancer Survivorship Health System Needs Assessment Questionnaire (BSH-Q) for Malaysian Health Institutions [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Closing the Research-to-Implementation Gap; 2023 Apr 4-6. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 30.

Utilization of Telemedicine Services for Mental Health Care in Malaysia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

There has been an increase in the use of telemedicine services due to the COVID-19 pandemic's severe impact on the delivery of mental health care. The purpose of this research was to analyze how mental health services were delivered via telemedicine in Malaysia during the 2009 COVID-19 epidemic. In order to better understand the experiences of adults who have used telemedicine for mental health treatment, a cross-sectional survey was carried out. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Most people who used telemedicine for mental health care were content with the experience, suggesting that the services were widely adopted. The likelihood of using telemedicine services for mental health care increased considerably with younger age, higher education level, and the presence of preexisting mental health conditions. However, people have mentioned concerns about privacy, lack of personal contact with healthcare providers, and technical difficulties as reasons for not using telemedicine. These results show the promise of telemedicine services for mental health treatment in Malaysia and the necessity of maintaining efforts to remove obstacles to their use. Telemedicine services for mental health care in Malaysia and other nations need more study to determine their long-term efficacy and viability.

Gender and Ethnic Differences in Diabetes Self Care in Malaysia: An Individual Participant Meta-Analysis of Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities Studies.

Many published studies in Malaysia have examined and assessed self care among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients using the Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities (SDSCA) scale. The current paper is a meta-analysis of related studies that also examines how gender and ethnicity influence and shape T2DM self care practices in Malaysia. We undertook a bibliographic search for studies conducted and published in Malaysia on T2DM adults using the SDSCA scale. This is a two-stage individual participant meta-analysis of SDSCA which synthesised the overall and subscale score based on gender and ethnic groups as well as the correlation between SDSCA and HbA1c. We examined 11 studies that utilised SDSCA to analyse 3,720 T2DM patients. The overall SDSCA score was 33.46 (47.8% of the 7-day week). The subscale score for general diet, specific diet, exercise, blood glucose self-monitoring and foot care were 4.80, 4.09, 2.87, 1.80 and 3.21, respectively. A small but statistically significant better self care in some gender or ethnic groups was noted. The SDSCA diet subscale and HbA1c showed statistically significant correlation. The finding suggested Malaysian T2DM patients were deficient in exercise and blood glucose self-monitoring. In fact, overall self care among Malaysian adult T2DM patients appears to be suboptimal across gender and the three main ethnic groups. Greater efforts are therefore needed to educate Malaysian adult T2DM patients to improve their self care practices.

Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Palliative Care in Northeast Malaysia.

Palliative care in Malaysia has progressed steadily since its inception in 1991, and it has been integrated gradually into primary health care in the past decade. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and the attitudes towards palliative care and its associated factors among primary care physicians. A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary care physicians using two validated questionnaires: the Palliative Care Knowledge Test (PCKT) and Frommelt's Attitude Toward Care of the Dying (FATCOD). The data were analysed using descriptive and linear regression statistics. A total of 241 primary care physicians from 27 different health clinics participated in the study. The mean PCKT score was 8.68 (2.94), whereas the mean FATCOD score was 106.8 (9.14). The maximum score for each questionnaire was 20 and 150, respectively. There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care, with a p-value of 0.003 (CI 0.22-1.04) and an r-value of 0.42. Palliative care knowledge among primary care physicians is still low despite their overall positive attitude towards the service. This finding suggests the urgent need for more education and training on palliative care for primary care physicians in Malaysia.

Assessment of self-perceived malocclusion and barriers to orthodontic treatment: A cross-sectional study.

Malocclusion is a common dental issue that can lead to significant oral health problems. However, patient management and treatment options for malocclusion can vary, and there is a lack of information regarding self-perception and barriers to orthodontic care. This study aimed to assess the self-perception of malocclusion and explore barriers to orthodontic care among residents of Bandar Saujana Putra in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study through the use of a validated questionnaire was distributed to the residents of Bandar Saujana Putra. Responses were collected from June 2021 to February 2022 via both online (Google Forms) and physical forms. The questionnaire consists of four sections, which assessed the respondents' demographics, understanding and awareness toward malocclusion, and barriers to orthodontic care. Responses were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test with IBM SPSS version 26. A total of 231 responses were collected from 83 (35.9%) males and 148 (64.1%) females. Females had a significantly higher level of awareness and knowledge regarding malocclusion compared to males (P < 0.05). The majority of the female respondents (83.8%) agreed that malocclusion can lead to dental caries (P = 0.02) and 60.8% of them identified "unpleasant appearance" as the main barrier to orthodontic treatment (P < 0.001). The findings suggest that clear braces could be a viable alternative for patients who are concerned with their appearance and may be a solution to the barrier of "unpleasant appearance." Our study contributes to the existing literature on malocclusion and barriers to orthodontic care in Malaysia.

Foster Care as A Child Protection Measure in Malaysia: A Literature Review

Foster care has been practised widely in other countries as one of the alternative care options for children in need of care and protection. In general, foster care refers to a placement of a child either temporarily or permanently, in the care of a person other than a parent. However, at present, there is no specific legislation governing foster care in Malaysia, except for the limited provisions in the Child Act 2001. A review of foster care as a child protection measure in Malaysia from a legal perspective was conducted and four themes emerged, namely, (a) concept of foster care; (b) international legal framework for foster care; (c) foster care in other countries; and (d) foster care in Malaysia. Results indicate that there is a comprehensive literature on foster care from a legal perspective but small literature in the context of Malaysia since there is no specific legislation governing it. At present, foster care is administered based on the practice of the Malaysia Social Welfare Department.

Validation and Translation of the Relational Aspect of Care Questionnaire into the Malay Language (RAC-QM) to Evaluate the Compassionate Care Level of Healthcare Workers from the Patient's Perspective.

Background: Compassionate care has been increasingly highlighted in the past few decades worldwide, including in Malaysia. Despite acknowledging its importance, Malaysia still lacks a validated tool that can be used to assess the level of compassionate care from the patient’s perspective. Therefore, this study aims to validate and translate the Relational Aspect of Care Questionnaire (RAC-Q) into the Malay language. Methods: Permission to use and translate the original RAC-Q into the Malay language was obtained. The RAC-Q was then translated into the Malay language following the 10 steps proposed for the translation of a patient-reported outcome questionnaire. A pretest was conducted based on 30 inpatients to assess the appropriateness and clarity of the finalized translated questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was performed based on 138 inpatients from six adult wards of a teaching hospital so as to validate the translated questionnaire. The data were analyzed using R software version 4.1.3 (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria, 2020). The results were presented descriptively as numbers and percentages or means and standard deviations. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed using robust estimators. Results: The analysis showed that the measurement model of the RAC-Q Malay version (RAC-QM) fits well based on several fit indices: a standardized factor loading range from 0.40 to 0.73, comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.917, Tucker–Lewis fit index (TLI) of 0.904, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.06, and a standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) of 0.073. It has good reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.857 and a composite ratio of 0.857. Conclusion: The RAC-QM demonstrated good psychometric properties and is valid and reliable based on the confirmatory analysis, and it can thus be used as a tool for evaluating the level of compassionate care in Malaysia.

Cultural Safety for LGBTQIA+ People: A Narrative Review and Implications for Health Care in Malaysia

LGBTQIA+ people in Malaysia constitute a marginalised population as they are subjected to cisheterosexism that permeates every layer of society. Cisheterosexist ideologies in Malaysia find their eligibility on secular and religious laws that criminalise LGBTQIA+ identities, which have detrimental consequences on LGBTQIA+ people’s mental health and their ability to access equitable health care. Existing literature has revealed limitations for healthcare providers to employ a blinded approach (i.e., treat everyone the same) and practise culturally competency when seeing LGBTQIA+ patients. In this narrative review, we compiled international evidence of culturally safe care for LGBTQIA+ people and outlined its relevance to interrogating power relationships within healthcare practices and structures. Our reviewed findings brought together five components of culturally safe care for LGBTQIA+ people: power-enhancing care; inclusive healthcare institutions; continuous education and research; promotion of visibility; and individualised care. These components set crucial milestones for healthcare providers to reflect on ways to equalise power dynamics in a provider–patient relationship. The applicability and implication of culturally safe healthcare in Malaysia are succinctly discussed.

The Suffering Experiences: Family Caregiver of Home Based Palliative Care in Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Caring for a family member who has advanced cancer and is nearing the end of their life comes with a slew of concerns and obstacles for the caregiver. A thorough understanding of the hardships and tribulations of caregiving may be a step toward resolving the issues that these patients’ family caregivers confront. AIM: The present study aimed to explore the suffering experienced faced by Malaysian family member who has advanced cancer and is nearing the end of their life. MATERIALS: The present qualitative study was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews held with seven family caregivers of cancer patients selected through purposive sampling. Interviews continued until the saturation of data. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through conventional content analysis. RESULTS: The codes extracted from interviews produced five main themes, including empathic suffering, powerless and hopeless suffering, predictive suffering, compliance suffering, and barriers’ wrath, which collectively caused suffering for family caregivers. CONCLUSION: Care provided in an atmosphere of suffering and discontent diminishes the caregiver’s quality of life and quality of patient care. Health planners should therefore consider the challenges and sufferings faced by family caregivers and should seek to obviate them through plans.

Challenges and Research Priorities for Dementia Care in Malaysia from the Perspective of Health and Allied Health Professionals.

Few studies to date have evaluated dementia care in Malaysia, and the focus of studies has primarily been on epidemiological and laboratory research. In this study, we aimed to identify potential challenges for the delivery of dementia care in Malaysia and priorities for research and enhancing existing dementia care. This study used thematic analysis to evaluate the open and focus group workshop discussions guided by semi-structured questions. Triangulation of the collected data (sticky notes, collated field notes, and transcripts of discussions) was achieved through stakeholder consensus agreement during a workshop held in 2017. Five main themes as priorities for dementia care were identified: (1) availability of a valued multi-disciplinary care service, (2) accessibility of training to provide awareness, (3) the functionality of the governance in establishing regulation and policy to empower care services, (4) perceived availability and accessibility of research data, and (5) influence of cultural uniqueness. The findings of this study seek to enhance existing dementia care in Malaysia but have potential application for other low and middle-income countries with a similar social and health care set up. The constructed relationship between themes also tries to tackle the challenges in a more efficient and effective manner, as none of these aforementioned issues are standalone challenges. In addition, we demonstrated how a carefully constructed workshop with defined aims and objectives can provide a useful analysis tool to evaluate health and social care challenges in a multidisciplinary forum.

PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH TELECONSULTATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN MALAYSIA

The recent novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has led health care providers to shift rapidly from on-site consultation towards teleconsultation. However, knowledge about patient satisfaction with teleconsultation, particularly for mental health care, is limited and demands further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with teleconsultation in mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also aimed to identify the leading contributing factors to patient satisfaction with teleconsultation. A convenience sampling method was employed. An online survey was conducted between June 8 and August 3, 2020. A 14-item questionnaire was used to assess the patient's level of satisfaction in four domains of satisfaction. A total of 106 questionnaires were received. Respondents reported a high level of satisfaction with teleconsultation. The convenience of not having to travel to the health center for consultation was the leading contributing factor to patient satisfaction with teleconsultation. However, patients reported that they were least satisfied with teleconsultation because they could not express their feelings deeply to the provider. The current study provides preliminary evidence that teleconsultation may be a satisfactory mode of communication during the COVID-19 pandemic for mental health care in Malaysia. Most importantly, consultation in mental health care should carry on to be performed remotely to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Future research is warranted to provide a better understanding of other factors contributing to patient satisfaction with teleconsultation and ways to improve them.&#x0D;

Online health information-seeking behaviour of patients attending a primary care clinic in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study.

The internet has become a common source of health information; however, little is known about online health information-seeking behaviour (HISB) among patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of online health information-seeking and its associated factors among patients in primary care in Malaysia. We also examined the reasons for, and the sources of, online health information-seeking, patients' level of trust in the information found and what the information was used for. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on patients who attended a primary care clinic. The questionnaire included the use of the internet to seek health information, sources and types of health information, eHealth literacy, patients' trust in online information, and how patients appraise and use online health information. Out of 381 patients in this study, 54.7% (n = 208) used the internet to search for health information. Patients mainly sought information via Google (96.2%) and the most common websites that they visited were Wikipedia (45.2%) and MyHEALTH (37.5%). Higher levels of education, longer duration of internet use, and higher eHealth literacy were significantly associated with online HISB. Patients' trust in websites (45.6%) and social media (20.7%) was low when compared to trust in healthcare professionals (87.9%). Only 12.9% (n = 22) of patients had discussed online health information with their doctors. Online HISB was common among primary care patients; however, their eHealth literacy was low, with suboptimal appraisal skills to evaluate the accuracy of online health information.