The Integration of the Applied Thai Traditional
Medicine into Hospitals of the Current Health
Delivery System: The Development of an
Administrative/Management Model
Supalak Fakkham MS*,
Teabpaluck Sirithanawutichi MD*, Vithaya Jarupoonpol MD*,
Pitsamai Homjumpa PhD*, Montri Bunalesnirunltr MD**
Affiliation :
* Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand
** Huay Ploo Hospital, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Objective : Develop a model of administration/management of district/general hospitals in the Ministry of Public Health of
Thailand to enable the medical services of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine to be integrated into the current Modern Medical
(Health) System.
Material and Method: A prospective study of the various services of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine in relation to the
needs of other related services of the hospitals and the health needs of the population of Huay Ploo District Hospital of Nakhon
Pathom Province. The collection of data of services covered 12 months to enable the comparisons of changes that occurred
during the period. The study was both quantitative and quantitative measures.
Results : There is a statistical difference in all aspects compared of the opinions of personnel related to the services of Thai
Traditional Medicine before and after the interventions in the areas of knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and the support of the
services rendered by Thai Traditional Medicine. The present study showed that more system diseases was seen before than
after the interventions whereas the most common incidence of diseases was in the musculo-skeletal system when compared to
those found in other systems. After the interventions, the patients’ preferences in the methods of treatment were mixed, with
several methods of treatment preferred and with the tendency to resort to Thai Traditional Medicine more than before the
interventions. This was believed to be the result of changes in the hospital i.e. personnel from all service units after answering
the questionnaires and voiced opinions were found to require more relevant competencies and in need of support from their
superiors. The personnel surveyed wished that the planning and policies’ goals succeed with efficiency. The Administrators
outlined the plan and strategies to move forward. With cooperation to solve problems, should any occur, and with mutual role
and coordination of personnel and services, the way towards solving problems should be beneficial as all sides participated
in the undertakings.
Conclusion : The management/administration of Government district/general hospitals under the Ministry of Public Heath
aiming for an integration of all services of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine into services of Modern Medicine in Government
Hospitals at the mentioned level was feasible and this undertaking would comply with the National Health Policy and WHO
Guidelines. The present research study proposed that the Hospital uses health care services as a ‘principal core’ and other
related sectors acted as supporting/promoting/and facilitating the principal core towards the best practice in health/medical
care. The researches wished to label the development of this model as “Huay Ploo Model”, which will be a landmark. In
addition, the he Ministry may want to pursue a similar model as the administrative structures of all hospitals under the
Ministry, under the Thai civil service system. The researchers also proposed the set-up of a Centre for Training and Learning
within the hospital. It was also suggested that the Hospital should hold regular academic meetings of various forms to
strengthen the knowledge, skill, and overall capacity of its personnel.
Keywords : Model development, Applied Thai traditional medicine, Prevalence of diseases, Integration of services, District/
provincial hospitals, Interventions, Current health delivery system, Center for learning and teaching, Huay Ploo model
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