1.Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) among Study Population with Cardiovascular Risk; use and Substitution for Conventional Medicine in Pahang, Malaysia
Yueting Kew ; Yuik Ling Chia ; Su Meng Lai ; Kim Yeong Chong ; Xin Lun Ho ; Da Wei Liew ; Foong Ming Moy ; Sharmini Selvarajah
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(2):86-92
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of
morbidity and mortality in Malaysia. There is evidence of
high traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use
among population with cardiovascular risk and there have
been anecdotal reports about substitution of conventional
medicines with TCM. We investigated the prevalence of TCM
use, treatment preference and substitution of conventional
medicines in study population with cardiovascular risk
factors in Pahang, Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an
interviewer-administered questionnaire in five districts of
Pahang. A total of 1250 households were chosen through
proportionate and systematic sampling. Respondents aged
18 years and above were selected.
Results: The study population with cardiovascular risk
factors who used TCM was higher than the general
population (31.7% versus 25.9%). There were no clear
preferences in using TCM by gender, age groups,
educational level and income even though other
bumiputeras showed a slight inclination towards TCM use.
Among the study population with cardiovascular risk
factors who consumed TCM, 20-30% of them were using
TCM as a substitute for their conventional medications.
Respondents from the younger age group (18-40 years)
(57.1%), highest educational level (43.2%), other
bumiputeras (38.4%) and highest income group (31.4%)
preferred the combination of both conventional and
traditional medicine.
Conclusion: TCM use among population with cardiovascular
risk factors is high. The high preference for combination
therapy of TCM and conventional medications among young
adults and the use of TCM to substitute conventional
medications show that much research is needed to provide
proven TCM therapies to avoid self-mismanagement of
cardiovascular risk in Malaysia.
Complementary Therapies
;
Medicine, Traditional
2.Feasibility of Implementing Chronic Care Model in the Malaysian Public Primary Care Setting
Farnaza Ariffin ; Anis Safura Ramli ; Maryam Hannah Daud ; Jamaiyah Haniff ; Suraya Abdul-Razak ; Sharmini Selvarajah ; Verna KM Lee ; Seng Fah Tong ; Mohamad Adam Bujang
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(2):106-112
Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCD) is a global
health threat. the Chronic Care Model (CCM) was proven
effective in improving NCD management and outcomes in
developed countries. Evidence from developing countries
including Malaysia is limited and feasibility of CCM
implementation has not been assessed. this study intends
to assess the feasibility of public primary health care clinics
(PHC) in providing care according to the CCM.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to
assess the public PHC ability to implement the components
of CCM. All public PHC with Family Medicine Specialist in
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were invited to participate. A
site feasibility questionnaire was distributed to collect site
investigator and clinic information as well as delivery of care
for diabetes and hypertension.
results: there were a total of 34 public PHC invited to
participate with a response rate of 100%. there were 20
urban and 14 suburban clinics. the average number of
patients seen per day ranged between 250-1000 patients.
the clinic has a good mix of multidisciplinary team
members. All clinics had a diabetic registry and 73.5% had a
hypertensive registry. 23.5% had a dedicated diabetes and
26.5% had a dedicated hypertension clinic with most clinic
implementing integrated care of acute and NCD cases.
Discussion: the implementation of the essential
components of CCM is feasible in public PHCs, despite
various constraints. Although variations in delivery of care
exists, majority of the clinics have adequate staff that were
willing to be trained and are committed to improving patient
care.