DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v15i1.67666

Exploring the Acceptability of Traditional Medicine Clinic Implementation in Indonesian Public Health Centers

*Sri Mumpuni Yuniarsih  -  Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Pekalongan, Indonesia
Retna Siwi Padmawati scopus  -  Department of Health Behavior, Environment and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
Ema Madyaningrum scopus  -  Department of Mental Health and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
Yodi Mahendradhata scopus  -  Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 by the Authors, Published by Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Background: The WHO encourages integrating traditional medicine into healthcare services, recognizing its cultural importance in countries like Indonesia. However, this integration needs improvement to ensure quality and accessibility. Previous research has primarily focused on policy implementation or health outcomes, with limited exploration of the acceptability of traditional medicine clinics in Primary Health Centers (PHCs) from stakeholders’ perspectives using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). Operational and ethical challenges in this integration remain underexplored.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the acceptability of traditional medicine clinics in PHCs using the TFA, focusing on the perspectives of healthcare workers, traditional medicine practitioners, and patients.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in five PHCs in Boyolali, Central Java, involving 25 participants (healthcare workers, traditional medicine practitioners, and patients). Participants were purposively selected based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) healthcare workers providing services in traditional medicine clinics at PHCs, (2) traditional medicine practitioners operating within the clinic area, and (3) patients who had used the clinic's services at least once. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically.

Results: Thematic analysis identified four key themes: (1) Perceived Benefits and Trust in TM Clinics, with participants reporting high satisfaction and trust in the services; (2) Readiness and Competency of Healthcare Workers, emphasizing confidence, ongoing training, and collaboration with traditional medicine practitioners; (3) Barriers to Acceptability and Implementation, including heavy workloads, limited resources, and a lack of dedicated personnel; and (4) Alignment with Professional and Cultural Values, focusing on the importance of cultural integration and ethical considerations for the sustainability of TM clinics.

Conclusion: Traditional medicine clinics in PHCs are generally well accepted, but their sustainability depends on addressing resource constraints and enhancing staff training. Strategic investment and policy support are essential to overcoming operational and ethical challenges and ensuring successful integration into public health services.

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Keywords: Healthcare integration; Public Health Centers (PHCs); Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA); traditional medicine

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