World Applied Sciences Journal 23 (7): 977-982, 2013
ISSN 1818-4952
© IDOSI Publications, 2013
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.23.07.23073
Corresponding Author: Muhamed T. Osman, Cluster of Laboratory Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine,
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia.
977
Perceptions of Year One Malaysian Medical
Students Towards Teaching and Learning of General
Pathology in Hybrid Integrated Curriculum
Muhamed T. Osman, Methil Kannan Kutty,
1 1
Ariza Adnan, Redhwan A. Al-Naggar, Nor Salmah Bakar, Effat Omar,
1 2 1 1
Noor Kaslina Mohd Kornain and Sabariah Abdul Rahman
1 1
Cluster of Laboratory Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine,
1
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Population Health and Preventive Medicine Department,
2
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Submitted: May 4, 2013; Accepted: Jun 10, 2013; Published: Jul 19, 2013
Abstract: At present most medical schools have introduced integrated curricula, either horizontally or
longitudinally, however some introduced hybrid model of integration. The main objective of this study is to
assess the teaching and learning processes of general pathology in UiTM model of hybrid integration
curriculum through an analysis of perceptions of individual Year 1 medical student at the end of general module.
A quantitative and qualitative survey using self-administered questionnaire was conducted. All year one
students (235 students; batch 2012-2013) of UiTM Malaysia were invited to participate. The objectives of
general pathology classes were clear to students. Majority of students (72.3%) reported that the classes
prepared them well for progressing with the study of systemic pathology. About 66.8% of the participants
benefited from a clear and in depth comprehension of general pathology in preparation for appreciation of
systemic pathology. Overall 70.2% of the cohort of students felt satisfied with this integrated structural
approach merging imperceptibility get beneficially with other subjects included in general module. In
conclusion, the data is a series of good indicator to the faculty for actual evaluation and perception from the
students apropos the teaching in general pathology subjects in a model of hybrid integrated curriculum.
Key words: General pathology Hybrid integration Curriculum Medical school
INTRODUCTION Pathology bridges the gap between basic sciences
Most undergraduate pathology instructors opine that understanding of pathological processes is vitally
the primary goal of general pathology module is to important for medical practice. The main goals of
prepare the students understands and appreciates undergraduate pathology teaching have always been
systemic pathology. When asked to clarify what they provision a language or fabric for the description of
mean by "understand", these instructors indicate that disease and to provide students with adequate knowledge
they expect their students to be able to identify of the functional and structural changes in disease so that
pathological process underlying any disease. Hence, the clinical signs and symptoms can be understood and
desired goal of general pathology module focuses on interpreted [1]. Facets have to be analyzed, rationalized
application of pathological concepts and facts to analyze and synthesized properly the basic pathological
or rationalize the pathological process of the diseases. processes of diseases.
Hence, the real challenge for pathology instructors, then, At present most medical schools have introduced
is to assist a sound foundation of pathological concepts integrated curricula, however the introduction of an
embedded in general module. integrated curriculum could potentially result in the loss
and clinical medicine, so a proper and in-depth