Research | Dr. Tong Wen Ting · Implementation Science · Universiti Malaya
Research

Connecting Science, Practice & Patient Care

My research applies implementation and behavioural sciences to improve the adoption of evidence-based interventions in healthcare. I work across implementation science, mental health, digital health, and patient-centred care — with an emerging focus on artificial intelligence in primary care and mental health settings.

Focus areas

Research areas

IS

Implementation Science

Designing and testing strategies to facilitate the integration of evidence-based practices into healthcare settings. My work focuses on what makes interventions succeed or fail in real-world clinical environments, with a particular emphasis on primary care in Malaysia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Core interests include implementation frameworks, implementation strategies, and sustainment of health innovations.

EBP

Evidence-Based Practice & Patient Decision Aids

Advancing clinical decision-making by combining high-quality research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. My doctoral and post-doctoral research centred on developing, implementing, and evaluating insulin patient decision aids in primary care settings in Malaysia, including research on shared decision-making and barriers to patient involvement in clinical decisions.

PCC

Patient-Centred Care

Ensuring patients are active participants in their own healthcare. My research examines how patient preferences, values, and needs can be systematically embedded into clinical workflows, with the goal of improving both the quality and experience of care in primary care settings.

MH

Mental Health

Investigating mental health service delivery, access, and outcomes — particularly in the context of COVID-19, digital platforms, and complex healthcare systems in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific. Research includes studies on the impact of social media on mental health among young people, mental health and coping strategies among nursing students, and healthcare service delivery during the pandemic.

DH

Digital Health

Exploring how digital technologies — including MOOC platforms, teleconsultation, and e-health tools — can improve healthcare access, education, and patient engagement. Includes active research on improving teleconsultation uptake in academic primary care settings in Malaysia, funded by the Universiti Malaya Research Excellence Grant (UMREG, 2024–2027).

SRH

Sexual & Reproductive Health

Policy-relevant research on reproductive rights, contraceptive decision-making, and equitable access to reproductive healthcare in Malaysia. Includes work on migrant worker health and reproductive rights, women's experiences of pregnancy termination, and comprehensive sexuality education for early childhood.

AI
Emerging research interest

Artificial Intelligence in Health

Exploring how AI tools can be applied to improve mental health screening, clinical decision support, and patient engagement in primary care. Building on an established foundation in implementation science to understand how AI-driven interventions can be effectively adopted and sustained in real-world healthcare settings. Current areas of interest include AI for mental health and patients' trust and acceptance of AI in clinical settings. Grant development currently in progress.

Grants & projects

Research projects

National
2024–2027
Development and Evaluation of an Implementation Intervention to Improve Teleconsultation Uptake in an Academic Primary Care in Malaysia
Universiti Malaya Research Excellence Grant (UMREG)
Principal Investigator
2024–2027
AI-Trust: Patients' Trust and Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence for Hypertension Management
Universiti Malaya Research Excellence Grant (UMREG)
Co-Researcher
2024–2027
Development of a Digital Health Intervention to Integrate Primary and Secondary Care in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: InteCARE Cardio Study
Universiti Malaya Research Excellence Grant (UMREG)
Co-Researcher
2023–2024
Barriers to Conducting Implementation Science Research in Asia: An Online Survey
Private Funding · Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
Co-Researcher
2014–2015
Assessment in the MBBS Programme at Universiti Malaya: Students' Perspectives
Bantuan Kecil Penyelidikan (BKP)
Co-Researcher
2012–2013
Perception of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hepatitis B: A Malaysian Perspective
Monash University Malaysia
Consultant
2011–2012
Reproductive Rights and Choice: Insights from Women on Pregnancy Termination
World Health Organisation (Malaysia)
Consultant
International
2024–2025
The ASEAN Alcohol Policy Project
WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) · Prince of Songkla University (PSU)
Co-Researcher
2024–2025
Breastfeeding Practices, Psychosocial and Nutritional Status of Working Lactating Mothers in South East Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand)
APACPH Research Grant · Yonsei University
Co-Researcher
2024
Mental Health and Coping Strategy Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Country Comparative Study in Malaysia and Indonesia
International Funding
Principal Investigator
2023–2024
The International Study of Cardiovascular Health Metrics (Internet) 3
International Funding
Co-Researcher
2022–2023
A Scoping Review on Behavioural and Implementation Science Research in Asia
National University of Singapore
Co-Researcher
2022
A Rapid Review on Barriers to, and Effective Interventions to Promote Immunisation Among Older Adults in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Philippines
National University of Singapore
Co-Researcher
2010–2011
Relationships of Gay Men in Malaysia and Sydney, Australia
Macquarie University, Australia
Consultant
Research interests in development
AI and Mental Health
Investigating the potential of AI-driven tools to support mental health screening, intervention delivery, and service access in primary care settings. Grant applications currently in development.
Implementation of AI in Primary Care
Applying implementation science frameworks to understand how AI-based clinical decision support tools can be effectively adopted, sustained, and scaled in real-world primary care settings in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Process

My approach to research

Step 01

Assessment

I begin by conducting a thorough assessment to identify specific needs, challenges, and gaps in healthcare delivery — through literature review, stakeholder engagement, and contextual analysis.

Step 02

Development & Implementation

Working with healthcare stakeholders, I develop and test implementation strategies grounded in theory and adapted to the local context — prioritising feasibility, acceptability, and alignment with patient needs.

Step 03

Evaluation

Impact is evaluated through rigorous mixed-method approaches. Findings refine strategies and contribute to the broader evidence base on what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

Interested in collaborating?

I welcome research partnerships, co-investigators on grant applications,
and postgraduate enquiries in implementation science, mental health, AI, and digital health.

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