Development of healthcare services system for sick Buddhist monks in Nakhon Pathom province

Abstract

        This participatory action research aimed address the situations, problem, need of healthcare service for sick Buddhist monks in Nakhon Pathom province and to develop healthcare service for sick Buddhist monks in Nakhon Pathom province. Three sample groups included 1) 25 mainstay Buddhist monks and 5 people who have experience or volunteers as a caregiver for Buddhist monks at the temples; 2) 20 of temple abbots, monks, provincial patriarchs, and provincial patriarch’s secretary; and 3) 20 of physicians; head nurses; registered nurses at private medical unit. The instruments were used for quantitative data collection consisting of the knowledge of six diseases and four practical skills questionnaires. The qualitative instruments were observation guiding, a focus group guide, an in-depth interview guideline and a participatory action meeting guideline. Data analysis using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, combined with a comparative content analysis and interpretation.

        The results revealed that sick Buddhist monks had three chronic illness such as heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Dyslipidemia. Healthcare services system for sick Buddhist monks in Nakhon Pathom province was composed of four components as :1) capacity budding of temple health volunteers based on knowledge of six diseases and four practice skills for sick Buddhist monks resulting to their knowledge were improved statistically significant at level 0.05, 2) providing services via Line mobile application and daily care system (C3THER) was created to reduce risks and increase safety, 3) continuity of care by temple health care volunteers were supervised by nurses, 4) guideline of care of improving efficacy for temple healthcare volunteers for sick Buddhist monks in Nakhon Pathom province was developed.

        The healthcare services for sick Buddhist monks in Nakhon Pathom province responded to increase service quality policy.  This model should be applied to improve effective nursing practice including making merit for patient safety, and personal safety, including smiling service mind and politely speak, and smart personality.