Full paying patient service in public hospital: An overview.

Globally, the expansion of private health sectors has caused movement of specialists from the public to private sector, causing a disproportionate manpower distribution between the public and private health sector. Retention of clinical specialists in the public sector has become a major problem in Malaysia. The pressure of increasing economic burden, scarce financial resources and increasing rate of medical specialist attrition to the private sector have led the Malaysian Government to introduce Full Paying Patient (FPP) Service as the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) specialists’ retention scheme in 2007. These initiatives have raised the level of payments to public sector doctors. Literature review of MOH documents and secondary data analysis was carried out to provide an overview and better understanding of FPP services implementation practices in MOH hospitals. Findings show the progress in MOH FPP Services’ governance and service operation for achieving the service objectives and noticed an increase in the understanding of the complexities involved in implementing FPP service. As of the end of December 2020, there are 11 public hospitals implementing FPP Service. By December 2018, there were 360 registered FPP Specialists compared to 71 FPP Specialists in the year 2009. The 26,739 patients who opted for this service in 2018 contributed to more than RM22 Million revenue in 2018. Thus, the establishment and operation of FPP Service has brought a considerable number of specialist retention, contributing to the government revenue, indirectly reducing the government subsidy for patients who can afford to pay, and giving patients alternatives in health service options at public hospitals

Specialists’ Dual Practice within Public Hospital Setting: Evidence from Malaysia

In line with the commitment of the Malaysian government and Ministry of Health to prevent the brain drain of specialists from public hospitals, they have been permitted to perform dual practice within the public hospital setting (DPH) since 2007. DPH allowed them to hold jobs in both public and private practices within the same public hospitals that they are affiliated to, permitting these specialists to treat public and private patients. Nevertheless, the information regarding DPH in Southeast Asia region is still limited. This narrative review provides insight into the implementation of DPH in Malaysia. It highlights that DPH has been well-governed and regulated by the MOH while serving as a means to retain specialists in the public healthcare system by providing them with opportunities to obtain additional income. Such a policy has also reduced the financial burden of the government in subsidizing healthcare. However, as in other countries with similar policies, multiple challenges have arisen from the implementation of DPH in Malaysia despite its positive achievements and potentials. This paper concludes that proactive governance, monitoring, and regulation are key to ensure the success of DPH

Full paying patient service in public hospital: What are the patients’ trend and the most visited discipline?

The Strategic Framework of the Medical Programme, Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) 2021-2025, has announced the expansion of Full Paying Patient (FPP) Service nationwide and this has been the priority for 12th Malaysia Plan for 2021-2025 as a specialist’s retainment scheme in the government sector. FPP Service in MOH public hospitals offer privileged quick access to clinical specialist care, private rooms, food, and other personalised care. Currently, there are 11 public hospitals implementing FPP Service. This review aims to show recent FPP patients’ trend and to identify the most visited department by FPP patients. Secondary data analysis and literature review was carried out to show recent FPP patients’ trend and to identify the most visited department by FPP patients. Review shows the number of FPP patients’ encounters has increased by an average of 54% per annum from 2008 to 2019, with 12% increase in new FPP patients from 2017 to 2019. There are more than 30 clinical services offered at 11 FPP hospitals. Obstetrics and gynaecology service topped as the service with highest patients’ encounter which accounts for more than 60% of patient’s visit compared to other services for the year 2017 to 2019. As a conclusion, Malaysian mixed public-private healthcare system has evolved to improve individual wellbeing by offering a greater choice of provider and care options, and faster access for elective treatments. FPP patients’ encouraging participation and number of visits indicate the clinical services with higher demand and potential for service expansion to other MOH hospitals

Specialists’ Dual Practice within Public Hospital Setting : Evidence from Malaysia

In line with the commitment of the Malaysian government and Ministry of Health to prevent the brain drain of specialists from public hospitals, they have been permitted to perform dual practice within the public hospital setting (DPH) since 2007. DPH allowed them to hold jobs in both public and private practices within the same public hospitals that they are affiliated to, permitting these specialists to treat public and private patients. Nevertheless, the information regarding DPH in Southeast Asia region is still limited. This narrative review provides insight into the implementation of DPH in Malaysia. It highlights that DPH has been well-governed and regulated by the MOH while serving as a means to retain specialists in the public healthcare system by providing them with opportunities to obtain additional income. Such a policy has also reduced the financial burden of the government in subsidizing healthcare. However, as in other countries with similar policies, multiple challenges have arisen from the implementation of DPH in Malaysia despite its positive achievements and potentials. This paper concludes that proactive governance, monitoring, and regulation are key to ensure the success of DP