A Conceptual Structure of Chronic Care Competency for Thai Primary Care Providers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual structure of chronic care competency for Thai primary care providers. The methodology used was a two-step approach. The first step was the concept analysis of chronic care competency based on Walker and Avant’s method to perform the pre-specified domains of chronic care competency.  The second step was interviews with Thai primary care providers to refine the pre-specified structure of chronic care competency in order to fit with the Thai primary care context.

The results of the study were found to be organized into four domains consisting of specific components: behavioral risk management (components: behavioral risk assessment; behavioral consultation; behavioral follow up); symptom management (components: symptom assessment; symptom relief; symptom monitoring; referral management); basic medical care (components: first aid; treatment prescription); and health coaching (components: self care facilitation; effective communication; building a self-help network). The conceptual structure can be used to develop a chronic care competency scale, in future research, as well as primary care curricula to improve the chronic care competency of Thai primary care providers.