A qualitative study on urut Melayu: the traditional Malay massage.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted this study to gain an insight into the experiences and views of practitioners of urut Melayu, the traditional Malay massage, which will be used in developing a preliminary framework of the urut Melayu process.


METHODS
We adopted a qualitative study design. We carried out a total of five focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising 6-10 urut Melayu practitioners each.


METHODS
We carried out three FGDs at the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division, Ministry of Health and two FGDs at a district Health Clinic.


METHODS
All participants of the FGDs were urut Melayu practitioners registered with the Ministry of Health. Three (3) FGDs comprised all females while two comprised all males. A total of 12 males and 24 females participated in the study.


RESULTS
We identified six themes from the study, namely, indications for urut Melayu, the urut Melayu technique, other treatments in conjunction with urut Melayu, outcome of urut Melayu, ethics of urut Melayu, and practitioners' source of skills and knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
Urut Melayu is a unique form of massage carried out for various purposes. Although it is common belief that there are vast differences in the way it is performed from one practitioner to another, this study revealed that similarities do exist and there is potential to develop a standard framework for urut Melayu for regulation and training purposes.
Institute for Health Systems Research, Jalan Rumah Sakit Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. haniza.ma@ihsr.gov.my
Haniza Mohd
HM
Anuar
Fariza
F
Fadzil
Shaheeda Mohd
SM
Sallehuddin
Norlaili
N
Ahmad
Norsuria
N
Abd Ghani
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research