Model for developing quality and standards in primary health care services in Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a model for enhancing the quality and standards of primary health care services in Songkhla Province through a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample consisted of 400 participants including frontline executives, physicians, nurses, public health officers, and community representatives working in primary health care units. The study was conducted in three main phases: analyzing the roles and competencies of personnel, assessing the desired competencies, and conducting in-depth interviews to design a context-specific competency model. The results revealed that primary health care units in Songkhla Province demonstrated strong capacity in effective policy management, internal communication, and consistent community participation across all levels. However, challenges remained in terms of human resources, limited budgets, and fragmented referral systems—particularly for patients with chronic conditions. These findings led to the development of a competency model comprising four core domains: leadership, coordination, data-informed decision-making, and system-based management. The model emphasized integrated collaboration among service units, local communities, and decentralized policy frameworks. Based on these findings, the study recommends enhancing staff capacity to align with the desired competencies while simultaneously developing a robust health information system, continuous monitoring and evaluation processes, and structured mechanisms for community engagement. These measures aim to sustainably improve the quality of primary health care services in the long term.