Abstract:
The objectives of this survey research were to evaluate factors affecting the
passing of primary health care unit (PCU) standard evaluations and quality assurance
in Region 4 and to find out the correlation between knowledge on primary health unit
standards, management resources, management procedure and technical support, and
the passing of PCU standard evaluations and quality assurance. The data collection
was done by way of questionnaire answered by 319 PCU leaders. The data analysis
included frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square and
t-test analysis.
The results of the study showed that about 75.9% of PCUs in Region 4,
overall, passed the evaluation and quality assurance criteria on every item in 2 main
aspects: management and academics. In the part of service aspect, the unqualified
issues dealt with the use of community files, connection of service receivers’ illness
information by the health team and provision of Thai traditional and alternative
medicine services. The results also showed that the PCU leaders had strong
knowledge about the PCU standard. In addition, the management procedure, both in
each aspect and overall, was performed to a high standard. However, in the part of
personnel management resources, there were some problems regarding the inadequate
number of personnel when compared with the workload, allocation of Contracting
Unit for Primary Care (CUP) officials to work in PCUs and shortages of finance,
materials/ equipment and vehicles. But, PCUs have been given technical support
strongly. After the correlation analysis, it showed that the overall management
procedure and the management procedure in terms of administration and control
related to the academic outcome of PCU standard evaluation and quality assurance
significantly at a statistic test level (p-value <0.05). With respect to knowledge about
PCU standards, management resources and technical support, they did not have any
correlation with the PCU standard evaluation and quality assurance.
Suggestions from the study were, in order to remedy the shortage of PCU
officers, there should be development of management skills by emphasizing planning
in the allocation of management resources, administration and control. The PCUs
should also be encouraged to be involved in the use of community files. Moreover,
Thai traditional and alternative medicine services should be provided in the PCU or
communities.