THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH CARE MODEL IN SI THEP DISTRICT NETWORK, PHETCHABUN PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was a development study with the objective of creating a model for a mental health clinic and evaluating its impact at Si Thep Hospital in Phetchabun province. The study was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025 with a sample population of 20 healthcare professionals and 50 recipients of mental health clinic. The research comprised four stages: 1) Situation analysis, problem identification, and analysis of the process of caring for mental health patients; 2) Design and development of the mental health clinic model;
3) Development of the mental health clinic model based on The Chronic Care Model's 6 components;7 dimension and 4) Follow-up and evaluation 3 months after implementation, using tools such as the Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (ACIC) Version 3.5 in Thai and a satisfaction survey for service recipients. Statistical analysis included mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test. The study results reveal a clear pattern of developing a mental health clinic at Si Thep Hospital, with assessment scores for chronic disease care showing a statistically significant improvement (p-value < 0.05) after implementing the mental health clinic health model. The post-development ACIC scores (=8.81, S.D.=0.97) are higher than the pre-development scores (=6.88, S.D.= 1.67). Overall satisfaction scores of the healthcare professionals group are higher than pre-development at a high level (=4.30, S.D.=0.33) and the mental health clinic recipients group are higher than pre-development at a very high level (=4.61, S.D.=0.32). The developed mental health clinic model is effective for caring for mental health patients, resulting in positive changes. This model can be adapted for the care of chronic patients in various clinics.