Jururawat di Layar Perak: Imej Jururawat dalam Filem Melayu dalam Enam Dekad Pasca-Kemerdekaan Malaysia (1957-2017)

Nurses on the Silver Screen: The Image of Nurses in Malay Films across Six Decades of Post-Independent Malaysia (1957-2017)

Abstract

The image of nurses has evolved along with changing times. While this phenomenon of the evolving image of nurses is discussed academically at the global level, it remains underexplored in Malaysia. To address this research gap, this study examines the image of nurses in Malay films from 1957 to 2017, through an analysis of thirty selected films that span three post-independence vicenniums. The findings indicate that Malay films continue to depict nursing roles that focus mainly on general and non-clinical tasks, with clinical roles rarely being included in the plot. Stereotypes such as strict demeanor and the portrayal of risks like sexual harassment remain dominant in Malay films up until the third decade. The study also finds an absence of male nurse representation in Malay films throughout the study period, even though the number of male nurses in the profession has been increasing. Additionally, the portrayal of a Muslim nurse who upholds noble values and practices Islamic ethics has been limited in Malay films. The film industry ought to fill this gap by portraying a more positive and professional image of nurses to elevate the status of the profession that contributes significantly to national welfare.

Keywords: Nurse image, nursing, nurse films, nurse character, perception towards nurses

Abstrak

Imej jururawat berevolusi seiring dengan perubahan zaman. Fenomena evolusi imej jururawat ini dibincangkan secara akademik di peringkat global tetapi masih kurang dibincangkan di Malaysia. Untuk mengisi jurang kajian tersebut, kajian ini meneliti imej jururawat dalam filem-filem Melayu dari tahun 1957 hingga 2017, melalui analisis terhadap tiga puluh filem terpilih yang mencakupi tiga dwidekad pasca-kemerdekaan. Hasil kajian mendapati filem-filem Melayu masih lagi menonjolkan bidang tugasan jururawat yang terfokus kepada tugasan am serta tugasan bukan klinikal, manakala tugasan klinikal pula jarang dimasukkan dalam plot. Stereotaip seperti perwatakan garang dan paparan risiko gangguan seksual kekal dominan dalam filem Melayu sehingga dwidekad ketiga. Kajian ini juga mendapati ketiadaan perwakilan jururawat lelaki dalam filem Melayu sepanjang tempoh kajian, walaupun bilangan jururawat lelaki dalam profesion ini semakin meningkat. Selain itu, watak jururawat Muslim yang berakhlak mulia dan mengamalkan etika Islam juga kurang dipaparkan dalam filem Melayu. Industri perfileman wajar mengisi jurang penonjolan imej jururawat yang positif dan profesional untuk mengangkat martabat profesion kejururawatan yang besar sumbangannya kepada kemaslahatan negara.