Research Exploring Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use in Malaysia: A Scoping Review.

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) encompasses a broad spectrum of health practices and products outside conventional medicine. Many Malaysians use T&CM, but research on its prevalence and patterns of use in Malaysia is limited. This study aims to chart the landscape of published research on T&CM use in Malaysia and outline key focus areas. A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases up to April 25, 2023, identified 153 relevant studies. Most studies lacked an operational definition for T&CM, leading to ambiguity regarding their scope and limiting cross-study comparisons. Research predominantly focused on sub-populations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, with few nationwide studies. Studies found substantial T&CM use and highlighted consumer knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards T&CM. Consumers spend substantial amounts of money out-of-pocket for T&CM. This review highlights the need for further nationally representative studies to inform evidence-based policies and healthcare strategies for T&CM in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]