A review of medical pluralism among psychiatric patients inMalaysia

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.