Developing a Model by Community Involvement for Caring of Patients with Chronic Diseases: a Case Study of Kaedam Contracting Unit for Primary Care, Mahasarakham Province - การพัฒนารูปแบบการมีส่วนร่วมของชุมชน ในการดูแลผู้ป่วยโรคเรื้อรัง:กรณีศึกษา เครือข่ายบริการสุขภาพแกดำ จังหวัดมหาสารคาม

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the situation of chronic diseases in Kaedam Contracting
Unit for Primary Care (CUP), Mahasarakham Province and the involvement of community in
caring for chronic disease patients as well as to develop a model of community involvement for care of
chronic diseases care in Kaedam CUP. The study was conducted as a research and development research
utilizing the quantitative, qualitative, and participatory action research approaches. The study samples
included 426 cases with chronic disease living in Kaedam and 209 individuals from multidisciplinary
teams, community leaders, sub-district administrative organizations, school administrators, and health
care providers. The Data collection methods and tools included a quality of life questionnaire, in-depth
interviews, group discussions, and workshops. It was found that the most common quality of life score
among patients was moderate (81.69%). Promotion of community involvement was conducted through
the technical refreshing among health care teams on the management of 6 chronic diseases and training
volunteers on community-based management and holistic care of patients with the chronic illnesses.
During the implementation period, capacity of the multidisciplinary teams was enhanced, chronic disease
data based system was developed and data were shared for proper planning of health care of the
patients, and the referral system was improved to increase efficiency and safety as well as continuum of
care. Assessment of patients’ satisfaction revealed a high level attainment with the score of 4.05.
Key words: chronic diseases, contracting unit for primary care, model development, community participation