Preferential utilization of healthcare systems by a Malaysian rural community for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries

The preferential utilization of healthcare systems by a rural Malaysian community in Perlis for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries was studied using focus group discussions. The objectives of the study were to explore the pattern of utilization of healthcare systems, the factors influencing the choice of a healthcare provider, rural residents' expectations of their healthcare provider and their views on integrating traditional and modern scientific healthcare systems. Most participants considered traditional and modern scientific healthcare systems as complementing each other. For musculoskeletal injuries, the traditional system was considered the primary choice of healthcare regardless of the participants' socioeconomic and educational levels. Key factors for preferring traditional care were the nature of treatment, the perceived shorter duration for recovery and inclusion of spiritual elements in the therapy. Barriers to seeking hospital treatment were the perceived longer duration for recovery, fear of surgery, use of metallic implants and casts that were culturally unacceptable and objections from elders. For perceived life-threatening situations, in children, pregnancy, and where injuries to internal organs were suspected, hospital treatment was preferred as the primary choice. Discussions on integrating traditional and modern scientific systems were inconclusive.