Model development of Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine Services Ban Song Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital Chaloem Phra Kiat District Nakhon Ratchasima Province, 2022

Abstract

Implementing occupational and environmental health services according to the standards is crucial for providing a framework for both proactive and reactive occupational and environmental health operations. This research aimed to develop a model for operating occupational and environmental health services at a sub-district health promotion hospital (HPPH). The study selected a representative sample area, the HPPH in Ban Song District, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Nakhon Ratchasima. Participants included six HPPH staff and four personnel from network organizations. Data were collected from January to May 2022 using the Participatory Action and Operations Research (PAOR) process. This involved interviews, tests, and evaluations based on occupational health service standards. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentages, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results revealed a developed operational model consisting of three components: 1) policy and team involvement (adjusting mindset), 2) workforce capacity building (knowledge enhancement), and 3) compilation of work results, data summarization, and evaluation based on standard criteria (process refinement). Post-development, HPPH staff demonstrated a high level of knowledge in occupational health operations at 86%, and the evaluation results achieved excellent standards. Based on these study outcomes, the operational model can be adapted for use in other HPPHs. For successful implementation, HPPHs should receive support from provincial-level organizations, undergo continuous academic supervision and performance assessments, prioritize staff improvement through training, and maintain ongoing information sharing and model expansion.