Desirable Health Care System for Community Hospital - ระบบบริการสุขภาพโรงพยาบาลชุมชนที่พึงประสงค์

Abstract

           The objective of this applied research (future study) was conducted to try out model(s) of the desirable health care system for community hospitals suitable for all stakeholders Data were collected in 2 parts from October 2007 to September 2008. The first part was hard approach included primary data from questionnaires focusing on administrators of 240 community hospitals. Descriptive statistics was used in data analysis. Secondary data analysis based on government report that showed impacts on health care system covering 8 factors in community hospitals. The second part was soft approach obtaining opinions of 47 persons included administrators, public health specialists, clients, local administraters and other stakeholders regarding health care system in community hospitals by interviewing 26 persons and brainstorming 21 persons. Three models of desirable health care system for community hospital emerged. The first model was “Autonomous under Government Monitoring” that could be described in term of a highly effective in cost recovery community hospital. They were located in highly populated areas, such as industrialized zones, tourist areas. The second model was “Semi-autonomous” that could be described in term of an appropriate community hospital for people in densely populated areas and hence their expenses could be fully covered under the Universal Health Care Coverage scheme. In addition, they stood to earn more from other sources as well. The third model was “Government Dependent” recommended for sparsely populated areas where its only income was from Universal Health Care Coverage Scheme which was barely enough and dictated public support.

Key words: community hospital, desirable health care system, accessibility, service quality, service cost