Effect of Coaching and Mentoring on Village Health Volunteers’ Ability to Care for Diabetes Patients in Ang Thong Province

Abstract

This research and development study aimed to enhance the competencies of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) in caring for patients with diabetes mellitus in the community through a training program integrated with coaching and mentoring systems. The study was conducted in four phases: 1) investigating the current situation, problems, and needs related to community-based diabetes care; 2) developing the training program; 3) examining the effects of the program; and 4) e program evaluation. The research was conducted from August to October 2025. The participants consisted of 123 VHVs and 561 patients with diabetes mellitus, representing the entire population in Wang Nam Yen Subdistrict, Sawaeng Ha District, Ang Thong Province. Research instruments included a VHV competency assessment form, a health numeracy knowledge test, and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. The findings revealed that: 1) diabetes care in the community was implemented through the primary healthcare system, in which VHVs played significant roles in home visits, symptom monitoring, and health education. However, limitations were identified in disease screening skills, assessment of important health indicators, and promotion of patient self-care. The community expressed a need for a competency development model emphasizing practical training and continuous support; 2) the developed training program consisted of five activities: (1) knowledge enhancement, (2) field mentoring, (3) coaching partnership, (4) collaborative learning and (5) empowerment, and participatory evaluation. 3) After participation in the program, VHVs demonstrated significantly higher competencies in diabetes care than before training (t=7.080, p<0.001). Patients also showed significantly improved knowledge regarding important health indicators (t=36.071, p<0.001) and reported a high level of satisfaction with the care provided by VHVs. The findings suggest that healthcare organizations should apply competency development models integrating coaching and mentoring systems to continuously strengthen the practical skills of VHVs and improve sustainable chronic disease management in community settings.