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BMC Health Services Research

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Issues in healthcare services in Malaysia as experienced by Japanese retirees

Authors: Ayako Kohno, Ghazali Musa, Nik Daliana Nik Farid, Norlaili Abdul Aziz, Takeo Nakayama, Maznah Dahlui

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Worldwide, international retirement migration is growing in its popularity and Japanese retirees choose Malaysia as their most preferred destination. This study examines the pertinent issues related to healthcare services as experienced by Japanese retirees in this country.

Methods and results

From January to March 2015, we conducted focus group discussions with 30 Japanese retirees who live in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Guided by the social-ecological model, we discovered seven pertinent themes: ‘language barriers’,’healthcare decisions’, ‘medical check-ups’,‘healthcare insurance’, ‘nursing and palliative care’, ‘trust and distrust of healthcare services’, and ‘word-of-mouth information’.

Discussion

We identified seven pertinent issues related to healthcare services among Japanese retirees in Malaysia, of which four are especially important. These issues are explained as integrated themes within the social-ecological model. Language barriers prohibit them from having difficulty accessing to healthcare in Malaysia, but lack of will to improve their language skills exist among them. For that reason, they rely heavily on word-of-mouth information when seeking for healthcare. As a consequence, some develop feelings of trust and distrust of healthcare services. In addition, we have identified the needs for provide nursing and palliative care among Japanese retirees in Malaysia.

Conclusion

Based on the magnitude of the discussion, we concluded that there are four crucial healthcare issues among Japanese retirees; ‘language barriers’, ‘trust and distrust of healthcare services’, ‘word-of-mouth information’ and ‘nursing and palliative care’. We propose that further dialogue by healthcare stakeholders should be carried out to improve further the healthcare service provisions for Japanese retirees in Malaysia.

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Title: Issues in healthcare services in Malaysia as experienced by Japanese retirees
Authors: Ayako Kohno
Ghazali Musa
Nik Daliana Nik Farid
Norlaili Abdul Aziz
Takeo Nakayama
Maznah Dahlui
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1417-3

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Issues in healthcare services in Malaysia as experienced by Japanese retirees

Abstract

Background

Methods and results

Discussion

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods and results

Discussion

Conclusion

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