Navigating Pluralism in Medicine: Healthcare Practices Among Older Adults in West Manggarai, Indonesia

<div>This study examines the pluralism model in healthcare practices among older adults in West Manggarai, <span style="font-size: 1rem;">East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Due to limited access to modern healthcare, many older adults in rural areas </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">rely on traditional medicine. Consequently, this research investigates how they integrate traditional and </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">modern practices to meet their health needs. A qualitative approach was used, involving semi-structured </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">interviews with 10 older adults from Pantar village, selected through purposive sampling. The data were </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">thematically analyzed to identify patterns in healthcare-seeking behavior and the perceived effectiveness </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">of traditional versus modern healthcare options. This study reveals a complex and dynamic relationship </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">between conventional and traditional healthcare practices among older adults in West Manggarai. Many </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">older adults use a hybrid approach, relying on conventional medicine for acute or emergency conditions, </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">while traditional medicine—such as herbal remedies and spiritual healing—are often preferred for initial </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">treatment and prevention. Trust in ancestral wisdom, accessibility, and cultural beliefs significantly </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">influence healthcare decisions. Conventional care is often perceived as distant and impersonal, </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">strengthening reliance on traditional practices. In conclusion, healthcare pluralism in this region is shaped </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">by accessibility, cultural beliefs, and perceived efficacy of various medical systems. The study highlights the </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">need to integrate traditional knowledge with conventional practices to foster more inclusive and effective </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">health services for older adults in rural Indonesia and improve health outcomes in aging populations.</span></div>