Tey Sin Wei, Rajiah Kingston, Maharajan Mari Kannan, Zakaria Norasila Binti, Ishak Nor Haslinda Binti
School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57200, Malaysia.
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BTS2 1SA, UK.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 May 22;22(6):817. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22060817.
The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing access to healthcare services among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients enrolled in the PEKA B40 programme at a public health clinic in Melaka, Malaysia. It aims to examine how key dimensions-availability, accessibility, accommodation, and acceptance-affect patients' experiences and the utilisation of diabetes-related healthcare services. This study also seeks to identify gaps and challenges within the current healthcare delivery system, particularly for low-income populations, to inform strategies for improving equitable and sustainable access to care.
This study was conducted in a public health clinic in Melaka, Malaysia. Purposive sampling was used among T2DM patients under the "Health Care Scheme for Group B40" programme in a public health clinic in Melaka, Malaysia. The study included participants with at least a 6-month history of T2DM to ensure substantial experience in accessing healthcare services.
Fifteen patients participated in this study. Elderly individuals, retirees, and those with average incomes demonstrated higher healthcare service utilisation. Ethnic diversity was crucial, revealing its impact on health behaviours and healthcare-seeking patterns. Primary or secondary education levels among participants highlighted the necessity for targeted health literacy efforts.
This study highlighted notable awareness and satisfaction among patients concerning the availability, accessibility, and accommodation of services, particularly emphasising the importance of geographical proximity in healthcare services. However, challenges faced by elderly individuals in accessing social support are also highlighted. The potential of enhancing the amenities of healthcare facilities to improve patient experiences is also reflected in our results. These insights provide evidence for the effectiveness of the Malaysian healthcare system in catering to a diverse demographic and can also be helpful in refining healthcare strategies and further optimising patient-centred care in Malaysia.
本研究旨在探讨影响马来西亚马六甲一家公共卫生诊所中参加PEKA B40计划的2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者获得医疗服务的因素。其目的是研究关键维度——可及性、可达性、适应性和接受度——如何影响患者的就医体验以及糖尿病相关医疗服务的利用情况。本研究还试图找出当前医疗服务体系中存在的差距和挑战，特别是针对低收入人群的情况，以为改善公平且可持续的医疗服务可及性的策略提供依据。
本研究在马来西亚马六甲的一家公共卫生诊所进行。在马来西亚马六甲一家公共卫生诊所的“B40群体医疗保健计划”中的T2DM患者中采用了立意抽样法。该研究纳入了至少有6个月T2DM病史的参与者，以确保他们在获得医疗服务方面有丰富的经验。
15名患者参与了本研究。老年人、退休人员和中等收入者的医疗服务利用率较高。种族多样性至关重要，揭示了其对健康行为和就医模式的影响。参与者的小学或中学教育水平凸显了有针对性地开展健康素养工作的必要性。
本研究突出了患者对服务的可及性、可达性和适应性的显著认知和满意度，尤其强调了医疗服务中地理位置接近的重要性。然而，也凸显了老年人在获得社会支持方面面临的挑战。我们的研究结果还反映了改善医疗设施便利设施以提升患者体验的潜力。这些见解为马来西亚医疗系统满足不同人群需求的有效性提供了证据，也有助于完善马来西亚的医疗策略并进一步优化以患者为中心的护理。
