Srisuda Rassmeapong. Development of primary care model in the community . Doctoral Degree(Public Health). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
Development of primary care model in the community
Abstract:
Health system reform and the policy of ‘health insurance for all’ focused on the
development of co-operating primary care units (PCU’s). However health personnel have not
traditionally been accustomed to working together in a cooperative manner. Programs to
strengthen various branches and organizations, and develop their capabilities have not been
in place. The standard provisions for health services have not directly addressed the
problems and socio-cultural contexts of the community. Therefore, a model of primary care in
the community highlighting health care needs of the community as the basis was developed.
Community-based action research, which emphasizes the participation of community health
stakeholders in the learning, has been applied as the process for the development of this
model. The process comprised 1) Look: community study, 2) Think: analyze and identify
community problem; 3) Act: develop strategic planning (vision and mission of community
health); implemention and evaluation. Results of this study were summarized below.
The characteristics of health care needs were identified through the analysis of factors
related to illness and health risk behaviors; individuals and their living patterns; and
characteristic of the community setting and environment. The findings of this study illustrated
that behaviors and living patterns of people, as well as the condition of environment in the
community were the factors that led to incidences of infectious disease requiring vigilant
epidemiological surveillance, and chronic disease, among these people. Furthermore, the
vision of community health development was established as “good mind and body;
Generosity; Pollution–free; and Catching up with all situations”.
Primary care delivery systems should correspond with health needs of the
community as identified in outreach programs and should be comprehensive in their scope.
Professional nurses should serve as principal service providers and should function as the
managers of all health activities with collaboration from community health officers,
community leaders, the public populace and the Tambon Administration Organization (TAO).
The characteristics of health care servicing activities included (1) direct health care, which
emphasized the care provided individually for each person in target groups, such as pregnant
women, children under five years of age, and patients with chronic diseases/disabilities, etc.
(2) community health servicing package and community strengthening activities, such as
managing the environment to reduce health-risk factors; and working together with local
organizations and networks to develop health programs in the community.
This new proposed health care delivery model, as demonstrated in the research project
would create learning opportunities, would strengthen the community through a physical
exercise program, and would mobilize the participation of various sectors to work
cooperatively to implement community health development activities. Community resources
including money, materials and manpower were sorted out and utilized. As a consequence,
community leaders and people have been able to continue the project development further.
Recommendations were: 1) Regarding policy, the structure of the health care system
must be modified to facilitate self-development of service providers within the context of the
community; 2) Regarding health services, the servicing pattern should be designed differently
to meet health needs of each individual community; 3) In regard to nursing education, health
personnel should be prepared with sufficient competency to perform their work at the primary
level. Such preparation should be achieved through changes made in the thinking and
teaching learning methods in the nursing educational institutes, and 4) Regarding research a
study should be conducted to identify approaches for the preparation of personnel, working
methods, and tools necessary for primary care delivery.