Effects of Family and Village Health Volunteer Participation Program in Caring for Bedridden Patients at Home

Abstract

The purpose of this study were (1) to compare the incidence of complications in bedridden patients before and after the family members and community health volunteers (CHVs) in a complication participating in a program at home, and (2) to assess the satisfaction of the family membres and CHVs with the program.The Study sample includes (1) 15 bedridden patients with a Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index score of 0-4 in Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, (2) 15 caregivers who are  family members or those assigned by family members to care for bedriddeen patients at home in Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and (3) 15 CHVs in Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The objects was selected by the volunteer caregivers to participate in the project according to the criteria off three groups and consent to participate.Tool was content validity .6-1, validity reliability 0.8. The sample group received the program for 5 weeks and collected data using a complication assessment form, a satisfaction assessment  form, and analyzed  using percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The study found that after participating in the program, there were no bedridden patients who experienced complications such as pressure sore, muscle atrophy, respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections in the third week. However, in the fifth week, joint stiffness were found in two cases. The overall satisfaction of families with the program was high (mean=4.363, SD.=.55), as was the high satisfaction of volunteer health workers in all four parts (mean=4.40, SD.=.42). The program enabled patients to receive proper care from caregivers and volunteers, resulting in patient safety and prevention of complications. This program can be applied in primary care units.