On 26 September, 2024, three IMU University medical students—Lee Min Ci, Loo Nien Loong, and Hamzah Bin Ryaz Patel—made the university proud by securing the runner-up prize in the Cochrane Malaysia Intervarsity Competition. This event, held in conjunction with Cochrane Malaysia’s 10th Anniversary celebration at Avante Hotel, Bandar Utama, brought together 12 teams from various institutions across Malaysia. The competition encouraged participants to produce innovative videos showcasing how Cochrane plain language summaries (PLS) can aid in making informed, evidence-based healthcare decisions.
Their video featured a patient scenario where a young woman, after waking up with troubling symptoms, including coughing up blood, feared she might have lung cancer. However, through the proper use of Cochrane’s evidence-based approach, the healthcare team diagnosed tuberculosis and offered reassurance. This case illustrated how Cochrane’s systematic reviews and PLS empower healthcare professionals to guide patients toward accurate diagnoses and treatment plans, dispelling fears and misconceptions.
View the video by The Hutan Plotters: https://youtu.be/fcufSuhk6Kw?si=NbMfeEEzYymgwHV2
Cochrane provides a globally trusted repository of health-related systematic reviews. The PLS furnished by Cochrane are meticulously designed to ensure clarity, brevity, accessibility, and informativeness. Furthermore, these PLS are also structured to be easily navigable, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points. Hence, this competition aimed to increase awareness of Cochrane’s resources, focusing on communicating evidence effectively while addressing patients’ needs and perspectives.
The competition also highlighted how PLS bridges the knowledge gap between healthcare professionals and patients, enabling the latter to make informed decisions about their treatment options. The IMU University team’s project reinforced the importance of systematic reviews as essential tools for evidence-based medicine. As future healthcare professionals, the students recognized the significance of utilising trusted, research-backed information to offer patients the best care possible.
The team, calling themselves “The Hutan Plotters,” took inspiration from Cochrane’s forest plot logo. Guided by Dr Saint Nway Aye from the Department of Pathology and Pharmacology, their video emphasised the value of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making. The engaging dialogue between the doctors and patient highlighted how healthcare professionals rely on Cochrane’s systematic reviews to inform patients and offer tailored advice.
The Hutan Plotter’s hard work was recognised by the Deputy Minister of Health, YB Dato Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni, who presented the prize during the celebratory afternoon event.
Competing against 11 other medical institutions in Malaysia, the team’s success was a testament to their dedication, innovation, and commitment to patient empowerment through evidence-based healthcare. The winning moment was especially meaningful, as it reflected IMU University’s emphasis on combining academic excellence with practical, real-world skills.
