Medical pluralism among depression and anxiety patients in a tertiary hospital on the East Coast of Malaysia: a qualitative study.

Mahamod, Aisyah Hannanah and Zainal Abidin, Muhammad 'Adil and Mohamad Shariff, Nurasikin and Md Rosli, Ahmad Nabil (2023) Medical pluralism among depression and anxiety patients in a tertiary hospital on the East Coast of Malaysia: a qualitative study. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 19 SUPP 15. p. 111. E-ISSN 2636-9346

PDF - Published Version Download (660kB)

Abstract

Many individuals in Asian countries, including Malaysia, connect psychiatric illness with indigenous, religious, or alternative beliefs, and their help-seeking behaviour has led to medical pluralism. In this study, medical pluralism is defined as adopting both Western and complementary medicine at least once during the same year. This study aims to understand why medical pluralism is adopted among patients with depression and anxiety in a tertiary hospital on the East Coast of Malaysia. A qualitative methodology, one-to-one in-depth interview was conducted on seven (7) depression and anxiety patients at Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre @ IIUM, Kuantan Malaysia. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English for academic presentation. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis found six emerging themes: minimising medical dependency, availability of medical pluralism, delaying until the symptoms escalate, issues in getting mental health treatment, the vague effect of mental well-being, and benefiting the overall well-being. Having identified the individual themes, they were categorised into three overarching themes: 1) Factors leading to practising medical pluralism, 2) Challenges in obtaining psychiatric treatment, and 3) The perceived effect of medical pluralism. Health illiteracy and stigma hinder early intervention. The role of social networks and healthcare providers expedites treatment-seeking. Improving access to care and addressing barriers faced by individuals seeking mental health treatment can help prevent symptoms from escalating. Planning mental health services, organising health campaigns, and increasing mental health literacy through awareness campaigns can help combat stigma and influence health-seeking behaviour. A robust therapeutic alliance may enhance treatment satisfaction, and collaboration with alternative practitioners is recommended to facilitate early intervention.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Medical pluralism, depression, anxiety, qualitative study, Malaysia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011)
Depositing User:	Dr Muhammad Adil Zainal Abidin
Date Deposited:	24 Sep 2025 10:39
Last Modified:	24 Sep 2025 10:39
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/123259

Actions (login required)

View Item