Acceptance and knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Indian medicine among medical doctors in Malaysia for managing patients’ menopausal symptoms

Goh, Sook Yan (2026) Acceptance and knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Indian medicine among medical doctors in Malaysia for managing patients’ menopausal symptoms. Master dissertation/thesis, UTAR.

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Abstract

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation and is often accompanied by several symptoms that impact women's quality of life. Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)/Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) carries risks, including stroke and cancer, prompting interest in safer alternatives. Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM), such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM), is well established in countries like China, India, and Japan. In Malaysia, the adoption of T&CM remains limited due to low engagement among medical doctors. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Malaysian medical doctors' knowledge of and acceptance of TCM and TIM for the management of menopausal symptoms. A qualitative phenomenological approach was applied, involving one-on-one online interviews with 25 medical doctors. Participants were selected purposively until data saturation was reached. The study consisted of three phases: (1) pre-intervention interviews; (2) an educational intervention seminar by certified TCM and TIM experts to provide knowledge of TCM and TIM in menopause management; and (3) post-intervention interviews. Transcripts were analysed using hybrid thematic analysis via ATLAS.ti. Pre-intervention, participants had superficial knowledge of TCM and TIM, relying on informal sources such as family or social media. Scepticism was common regarding herbal safety and herb–drug interactions. Most were open to TCM and TIM in principle but unwilling to recommend them, being held back by insufficient knowledge. Without referral pathways or institutional support, structural gaps reinforced this reluctance. Post-intervention, knowledge shifted from hearsay to clinical management of menopausal symptoms. Perceptions moved from scepticism towards viewing TCM and TIM as complementary, particularly for patients contraindicated for HRT. Willingness to recommend grew, tied to evidence and patient autonomy, but structural barriers persisted. In conclusion, doctors were not against TCM and TIM; they simply did not know enough. This shows that an educational seminar can enhance medical doctors' knowledge, perceptions, confidence, and acceptance of TCM and TIM for menopause management. Future research can use quantitative methods to examine how educational interventions influence clinical behaviours.

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