Readiness for public health emergency management (PHEM) of agencies under Phrae Provincial Public Health Office

Abstract

This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at examining the readiness  for public health emergency management (PHEM) of the agencies under the Provincial Health Office of Phrae. The study sample included incident commanders, chairs, and secretaries of various task groups, selectively chosen, with a total of 292 participants. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire that demonstrated a Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient of 0.94. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis.

The study found that the Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) of agencies under Phrae Provincial Public Health Office was generally well-prepared, with an overall readiness level of high (  = 3.88, S.D. = .596). The readiness was also rated as high across all four key components: 1) Preparedness for prevention and impact mitigation before a public health emergency (  = 4.00, S.D. = .718); 2) Readiness to respond to a public health emergency (  = 3.77, S.D. = .604); 3) Capacity for emergency response (  = 3.93, S.D. = .653); and 4) Readiness for post-emergency recovery (  = 3.95, S.D. = .649). Interviews revealed that responsible personnel and epidemiological surveillance systems were in place, enabling the rapid detection of abnormal events. The agencies emphasized preparedness in terms of human resources, with key supporting factors for emergency response readiness including effective management of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for medical and public health emergencies and the preparedness of psychological support teams for recovery efforts. However, areas for improvement were identified, particularly in encouraging personnel to undergo training on public health emergency management and addressing the issue of overlapping responsibilities among staff.

Recommendations: It is suggested that the potential of personnel who have never undergone training be developed through suitable and effective training programs to cultivate the knowledge and skills necessary for emergency response operations. Furthermore, it is recommended to reduce overlapping roles of personnel to enhance work efficiency.
Additionally, the development of resource management systems is advised to ensure
adequate and appropriate preparedness for potential emergency situations in the future.