Development of a Guideline for Integrating Strategy and Budget Management in Digital Public Health at the Provincial Level: A Case Study of Chachoengsao Provincial Public Health Office

Abstract

The development of digital public health at the provincial level plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare service delivery in Thailand. This study aimed to (1) develop strategies and budget management guidelines to support digital public health at the provincial level and (2) evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposed guideline. The research employed a research and development (R&D) design combined with applied analysis, conducted in three phases: situation analysis, development, and evaluation. The sample group consisted of 31 purposively selected personnel involved in digital public health projects and policy-level stakeholders. Research instruments included questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and a satisfaction assessment form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation; inferential statistics using univariate analysis (Wilks’ Lambda); and content analysis. The findings revealed that (1) the overall level of problems and challenges was high (mean=3.62, SD=.61), with insufficient budget allocation and a shortage of technology personnel identified as key issues; (2) the appropriate development guideline consisted of three main components: infrastructure enhancement and data integration, human capital development, and process reengineering, with the highest level of development demand (mean=4.35, SD=.50); and (3) the evaluation results indicated that the developed guideline was highly appropriate (mean=4.46, SD=.46). In conclusion, the development of digital-based strategies and budget management systems may enhance managerial decision-making efficiency and should be adopted as a practical guideline for driving sustainable digital public health at the provincial level.