POLICY AND READINESS OF HOSPITALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL HUBS IN UBON RATCHATHANI, SISAKET, AND SURIN PROVINCES

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aims to investigate the policy direction and readiness of the hospitals for the establishment of a medical hub for foreigners in Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, and Surin. The sample was composed of 15 people, including governors, public health doctors, and heads of the cross-border healthcare unit from 9 hospitals in the three provinces. Data were collected via a survey form and questions for the focus groups. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistics, frequency, and percentage, whereas qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The study found that none of the three provinces has a strategic policy or plan to become a medical service center. They were not designated as providers of international medical services under Thailand’s national plan, even though the three provinces have offered cross-border health services to Lao PDR and Cambodian patients. The research found that the hospitals in Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, and Surin are ready to leverage their strengths and improve their weaknesses to transform themselves into cross-border health service centers. However, they need government support in creating international laws, allocating budgets, and facilitating state-to-state cooperation. The research also found that in order to become a medical hub, the target hospitals need to increase the number of specialized doctors, improve the language and communicative skills of medical employees in dealing with foreigners, and acquire more medical equipment.

Therefore, Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, and Surin should propose a strategic plan to the government, indicating a readiness to develop themselves as providers of international medical services. They should also, among other things, transform their hospitals into a cross-border healthcare center, maintain a sufficient number of medical staff, enhance the communicative skills of their employees, and ensure the availability of medical equipment.