A review of medical pluralism among psychiatric patients in Malaysia

Wan Ahmad, Wan Mohamad Fakhrudnizam and Ridzwan, Hijaz (2025) A review of medical pluralism among psychiatric patients in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 34 (2). pp. 63-68. ISSN 2950-1911

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Abstract

This review examines the practice of medical pluralism among psychiatric patients in Malaysia, where traditional and modern medical systems coexist. In a culturally diverse country like Malaysia, traditional healing practices – including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Islamic medicine – are frequently used alongside biomedical care, particularly for mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder, anxiety, and psychotic conditions. Despite the availability of modern psychiatric services, many individuals continue to seek traditional remedies due to cultural beliefs that attribute mental illness to supernatural causes. This dual approach offers holistic and culturally sensitive care, enhancing treatment acceptability by aligning with patients’ spiritual and cultural beliefs. However, when traditional and biomedical systems are not well integrated, it often results in treatment delays, miscommunication, and reduced effectiveness of psychiatric interventions. The review discusses the factors influencing medical pluralism, including cultural, social, and demographic dimensions and highlights the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding the concurrent use of traditional and modern treatments. It also examines the role of Malaysia’s Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775) in regulating and integrating traditional medicine into the national healthcare system. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving integration through standardized referral systems, public education, and community‑based programs to ensure safe, culturally sensitive, and effective psychiatric care in Malaysia.

Item Type:	Article (Review)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords: Cultural beliefs, healthcare integration, Malaysia, medical pluralism, modern medicine, psychiatric patients, traditional medicine
Subjects:	R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine > RZ400 Mental healing
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Psychiatry
Depositing User:	Dr Hijaz Ridzwan
Date Deposited:	23 Dec 2025 15:30
Last Modified:	23 Dec 2025 15:30
Queue Number:	2025-12-Q1266
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/126367

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