Theses (MBA In Healthcare Management)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immense impact on healthcare systems worldwide particularly in terms of infection control measures. Hospital Sungai Buloh has implemented a novel walk-away queuing system for outpatient clinics, namely the iQMS. This system enables infection control via facilitating social distancing whilst waiting for their appointments and affords waiting location flexibility. However, the factors affecting outpatients’ intention to use the iQMS is yet unknown, and this is the subject of this study. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Perceived System Usability and sociodemographic factors were used to study this relationship. This study used a cross-sectional quantitative design utilizing a self-administered questionnaire to obtain data. The questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic factors, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Intention to use the iQMS and Perceived System Usability. Two hundred and fifty-four respondents completed the questionnaire, corresponding to a response rate of 87.8%. The questionnaire showed satisfactory construct validity, discriminant validity and reliability. Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use had a significant impact on the Intention to use the iQMS, while Perceived System Usability showed a moderate positive relationship with the Perceived Ease of Use. Sociodemographic factors did not influence the Intention to use the iQMS. In conclusion, the Intention to use the iQMS is associated with the Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness of the system. Keywords: COVID-19, Queue Management System, Technology Acceptance Model, System Usability Scale

Malaysian university students undertook online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, mainly through virtual learning environments. This study aims to investigate students’ actual use behavior of virtual learning environments, the factors that influence actual use behavior, the moderating effect of network connectivity on this relationship, as well as challenges faced by students while using this technology. To test the hypotheses that the modified Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 variables affect actual use behavior, an online survey was distributed via email to IMU students. The results after analysis showed that hedonic motivation, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use significantly affected actual use behavior, while network connectivity had no significant moderating effect on these relationships. Moreover, hedonic motivation had the strongest effect on actual use behavior, followed by perceived usefulness. Also, key challenges include high cost associated with usage, and inadequate network connectivity. These results indicate students will be inclined to accept the technology if there is high hedonic motivation, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. Universities should focus on enhancing these factors to increase acceptance of this technology among students, as virtual learning environments have untapped potential for distance learning. Keywords: Virtual Learning Environment; Network Connectivity; COVID-19; Technology Acceptance

Background: The global outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus disease 2019 raged across the world and was an international public health threat. It caused significant impacts to health, both physically and psychologically. The quarantine measures imposed caused economic, education and social disruptions. The escalated usage of face masks and personal protective equipment’s (PPE’s) created massive wastage that impacted the environment negatively whilst many lost their livelihoods and sources of income. Globally as of 19 July 2023, there have been 768,237,778 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 6,951,677 deaths reported to WHO (WHO, 2023). This study aimed to determine factors associated with consumers intention to continue using face mask due to COVID-19 pandemic using “The Health Belief Model (HBM)”, a cross-sectional study in Malaysian respondents from May to August of 2022. During this time, COVID -19 was still declared as a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO). The end of the pandemic was only declared year later in May 2023. Methods: A total of 282 respondents, aged 18 and above who declared to have worn face masks in the last one year all across Malaysia were surveyed. The survey instrument included socio- demographic data and measures on the four main constructs for HBM, namely perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Cues to action and self-efficacy were left out as not all previous studies using the HBM included them. Descriptive and inferential analysis was done using SPSS version 25 software to determine rates and predictors of face mask wearing. Results: Perceived susceptibility was the only HBM construct that was found to be a significant predictor for consumers intention to continue using face mask. Socio-demographic factors had no effect on face mask wearing probably due to a very high rate of mask wearing compliance in the community at that point in time. Additional survey questions found that 84% of respondents would wear a mask due to family reasons such as wanting to protect their family or feeling encouraged by their family to do so. Respondents also reported preferring cheaper, single use face masks as opposed to reusable ones, surgical masks as opposed to non-surgical face masks and face masks with no aesthetic appeal. Conclusion: The Health Belief Model is a useful model in identifying factors that determine face mask wearing. These findings can be used for effective planning of health education and programmes by health organizations. It can also assist the government in creating policies in relation to face mask to increase its compliance as well as guide face mask production for the global market of face masks. KEY WORDS: Health Belief Model, COVID-19 preventive behaviour, Face Masks

The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on Malaysia’s population and the entire world, causing mental health to decline. In particular, the low-income group among the population are heavily affected, which has affected their mental health. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the impact of sociodemographic, social stressors, job insecurity and coping strategies on mental health among 313 B40 Malaysian respondents of urban community. This study used three sets of questionnaires: The Job Insecurity Scale Questionnaire, the Brief Resilient Coping Scale and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Analysis shows a significant difference between age, monthly income, community function and family function with mental health status. Nevertheless, no significant difference exists between gender and job type with mental health status. Moreover, workload and job insecurity have a significant negative linear relationship with mental health status. Lastly, coping strategies have a significant positive relationship with mental health; better coping strategies contribute to high mental health status. Therefore, programs, interventions and improvements shall be organized by the government, communities, counsellors and psychologists to improve the mental health status among B40 residents in Malaysia. Keywords: Mental Health, Social Stressors, Job Insecurity, Coping Strategies, COVID-19