Developing Criteria for a Profession to Be Considered as Allied Health in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study from the Malaysian Perspective

    February 2024 in “ BMC health services research ”
    L Mageswary Lapchmanan, Duratul Ain Hussin, Naji Arafat Mahat, Aik Hao Ng, Nurul Huda Bani, Salina Hisham, William Teh, Mohd Azmarul A Aziz, Saravanakumar Maniam, Pauzilah Dollah, Nur Atiqah Hasbullah, S. Manimaran, Hazirah Hassan, Farina Zulkernain
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    TLDR Policymakers should integrate criteria like risk of harm, skills, qualifications, and teamwork to define allied health professions in Malaysia.
    The study aimed to establish criteria for defining professions of allied health (PAH) in Malaysia, involving 25 participants from various stakeholders through document reviews and focus group discussions. Sixteen key criteria were identified, with the most critical being risk of harm, competency and skills, formal qualifications, defined scope of practice, relevant training, and teamwork within healthcare. The study concluded that an integration of all identified criteria is necessary for defining PAH, emphasizing the importance of regulatory frameworks and continuous professional development to ensure public safety and effective healthcare delivery. These findings are intended to guide policymakers in developing appropriate regulations and policies for allied health practitioners in Malaysia.
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