Nilai, 10 March 2026 — The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) hosted a hybrid International Mini Seminar titled “Co-Designing Care: Qualitative Research Transforming Medical Practice”, bringing together local and international scholars to discuss innovative approaches in patient-centred healthcare and qualitative research.
The seminar featured distinguished visiting scholar Professor Dr Nathan Davies from the Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, and visiting lecturer Associate Professor Dr Kanthee Anantapong from the Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University.
Professor Nathan Davies delivered two presentations: “Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry and Co-Design in Healthcare” and “Empowering Choices: Communication and Decision Aids in Dementia Care.” His sessions highlighted the basics of qualitative research and the importance of engaging patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in co-designing services to ensure that care systems reflect real needs and lived experiences. In his second talk, he discussed about managing uncertainty through communication and the decision aids in dementia care.
Associate Professor Kanthee Anantapong presented “Decision Aids for Nutrition and Hydration in Dementia Care,” focusing on how he designed a shared decision guide to support patients with advanced dementia and their families.
The seminar also featured several speakers from the USIM Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman presented “Faith Sensitive Futures: Co-Designed Clinical Decision Support for Muslim Maternal Care,” exploring how religious values can be integrated into clinical decision tools. Dr Sharifah Najwa Syed Mohamad delivered a presentation titled “Exploring the Gaps of Palliative Care Services in Malaysian Primary Care System: Towards a Better Integration of Palliative Care in the Community.”
Meanwhile, Dr Nor Faizah Ghazali discussed “Sarcopenia Risks Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Attending Government Health Clinics in Malaysia,” highlighting the growing need for early detection and prevention strategies among ageing populations. Dr Tengku Amatullah Madeehah T Mohd concluded the series with a talk titled “Teaching Decision Making for Public,” focusing on empowering seniors in listening skills and providing alternative access to mental health support for peers.
Beyond the academic sessions, the Faculty organised visits for the international guests to several elderly care services to enhance knowledge exchange and exposure to community-based healthcare practices. These included the Tampin Health Clinic, Bigtree Medicare and Nursing Home, which provides integrated nursing and post-hospitalisation care for older adults, and Insyirah Care Centre, a facility offering services for senior care. During the visit to Insyirah Care Centre, the Faculty also contributed donations of daily necessities to support the residents and ongoing care services.
The seminar and accompanying visits strengthened international collaboration while highlighting the growing role of qualitative research and co-design approaches in shaping compassionate, patient-centred healthcare systems.
The faculty members with the international guests at the hybrid mini seminar in the Al-Farabi Lecture Hall,
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, USIM.
Visit to Tampin Health Clinic with the physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurses, family medicine specialist and
public health medicine specialist who provide services to the elderly community.
Visit to Insyirah Care Centre