Development of a Care Model for Chronic Psychiatric Patients At-Risk Groups in the Community through the Participation Process of Network Partners, Lamplaimat District, Buriram Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the care-giving model for chronic psychiatric patient at-risk groups through the participation process of the network partners using a model that included activities as follows: 1) training of caregivers and relatives with a course titled “CG specialized in caring for the mind,” 2) building a surveillance system for the patients at-risk of violence with “2-Yor, 1-Sor” (in Thai) (good drugs/good relatives/avoiding alcohol and addictive substances) and 5 important symptoms (5 Red Flags), 3) building a care network with “7 supportive friends” networks, 4) sharing innovations from one sub-district to be applied to all other sub-districts, and 5) applying a mentor system for the monitoring and evaluation process while building collaborations with partners through workshops to clearly define roles and responsibilities of all sectors. Tools used in this study included “the life skills assessment form for psychiatric rehabilitation” with  a reliability score of 0.94, “the happiness index measuring form” with a confidence value of 0.70, and “a participation questionnaire” with the confidence value of 0.77. The samples were comprised of 88 chronic psychiatric patient at-risk group, 88 relatives of the patients, and 98 network members.

Results showed that, at the end of the program, 1) scores on the psychiatric rehabilitation skills significantly improved (t=6.983, p<0.001), 2) scores on relatives’ happiness index significantly increased (t=12.837, p<0.001), 3) scores on participations of the network significantly increased (t=11.606, p<0.001), and 4) there were successful adoptions of innovations to other sub-districts.

It was suggested from this study that The author suggests that “CG specialized in caring for the mind” should be conducted to cover all villages. The innovations should be measured and extended for widespread benefits. In addition, the value should be added for the patients by promoting and building career for those patients who are ready.