DEVELOPMENT OF A THAI TRADITIONAL MEDICINE-BASED HEALTH CARE MODEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN LAMPANG PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a Thai traditional medicine-based health care model for older adults in Lampang Province using a four-phase research and development process: (1) studying the components of implementing the Thai traditional medicine-based health care model for older adults in the community through focus group discussions with 13 stakeholders; (2) developing the Thai traditional medicine-based health care model for older adults; (3) conducting a pilot study in a prototype area with 30 volunteers aged 45–59 years, which assessed knowledge, health care behaviors, community acceptance, quality of life, satisfaction, and observed participation behaviors; and (4) evaluating the model’s efficiency and making improvements through interviews with 10 stakeholders using an efficiency assessment form. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The results showed that the implementation process consisted of four components: enhancing knowledge of Thai traditional medicine, knowledge creation and exchange, monitoring and evaluation, and expansion. The developed model involved a one-time training session followed by four follow-up sessions over one month. Evaluation of effectiveness indicated that participants’ scores on knowledge, health care behaviors, quality of life, and community acceptance significantly increased (p-value < .05). Efficiency evaluation revealed a high level of performance; the model requiring low budget, focused on improving health literacy, and incorporated activities into daily life consistent with local lifestyles. The model demonstrated potential for expansion to other age groups through active community participation. However, ensuring continuity through regular follow-up is necessary for sustainability.