Abstract:
This study was aimed to assess the situation and related factors that may influence utilization of the health care services in Thai public hospitals along the border. This study consisted of three parts; the first was the site visits of 54 Thai public hospitals along Thai-Laos border. Hospitals data and context in the health care service utilization of Laotian patients at each hospitals were collected. Second part, the analytic study with set of questionnaire was given to the selected sample of Laotian patients. This part was done for access factor influencing the decision to return. Third part was to interviews the hospital directors and their staffs in the current scurcumstance of health care service. The significance finding showed the increasing number of Laotian patients over the past three years with most common diseases and operative procedures. All hospitals have confronted with financial burden, and the main factors affecting decision in using health services were the perception of the difference in health care quality (OR= 3.30, 95% CI 2.36, 4.61), the ability to pay (OR= 2.52, 95% CI 1.80, 3.53) and distance to service (OR= 1.86, 95% CI 1.28, 2.70). The interviews with the hospital directors and staffs revealed that they needed more financial support and a clear policy for these patients from the government. In conclusion, quality of health care service is the major factor influencing the ecision to use the health service and the appropriate the financial management for Thai and Laotian should be taken into consideration.