From the Research
Palliative care in Malaysia is developing, with a focus on integrating cultural and religious beliefs into care plans, but still faces challenges in terms of accessibility and awareness, as highlighted in a recent study 1. The country has made efforts to integrate palliative care into its healthcare system, with services available in some major hospitals and through non-governmental organizations. However, coverage remains limited, especially in rural areas.
- Malaysian palliative care typically follows a multidisciplinary approach, involving doctors, nurses, social workers, and sometimes traditional healers.
- Common medications used include morphine for pain management, as well as other opioids like fentanyl and oxycodone.
- Antidepressants and anxiolytics are also frequently prescribed to address psychological symptoms. One unique aspect of palliative care in Malaysia is the consideration of cultural and religious beliefs, particularly in a multi-ethnic society, with a recent study emphasizing the importance of an Islamic psychospiritual approach 1.
- This often involves incorporating traditional practices and family-centered decision-making into care plans.
- Home-based palliative care is increasingly emphasized to align with cultural preferences for end-of-life care at home. Challenges include a shortage of specialized palliative care professionals, limited public awareness, and the need for more comprehensive coverage in the national healthcare system, as discussed in a study on improving patient outcomes through palliative care integration 2.
- Despite these obstacles, Malaysia continues to work towards improving and expanding its palliative care services to meet the growing needs of its aging population, with a focus on early palliative care and interdisciplinary team approaches 3. The development of a manual in palliative care for Malaysia, incorporating an Islamic psychospiritual approach, is a crucial step towards improving palliative care services in the country, as highlighted in a recent study 1.