A Study of Thai Traditional Medicine Services Rate in Public Healthcare Facilities under the Ministry of Public Health

Abstract

Abstract

          A Study on the Service Rate Structure for Thai Traditional Medicine Services in Public Health Facilities under the Ministry of Public Health.This study aims to investigate the unit cost per service activity for Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM) treatment and rehabilitation services in public health facilities. The goal is to establish standardized service rates that are appropriate for the current socio-economic environment and reflect the actual costs incurred. The research began with a nationwide survey of all public health service units under the Ministry of Public Health to determine service offerings and to select items for cost rate development. Data was collected for the fiscal year 2022. A total of 2,435 public health service units across all levels responded to the initial survey, including subdistrict health promoting hospitals 1,871 units, community (district) hospitals 472 units, general hospitals 67 units and regional hospitals 25 units. Following preliminary analysis and data management, a representative sample was selected across the 12 health service regions for an in-depth cost analysis. The final sample size was 72 facilities, distributed by level as follows: regional and general hospitals 1 facility per region, total 12 facilities, community (district) hospitals 3 facilities per region, total 36 facilities and subdistrict health promoting hospitals 2 facilities per region, total 24 facilities.

The study analyzed the unit cost of 16 Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM) treatment and rehabilitation service activities. The resulting median unit costs were calculated as follows: 1) Thai traditional medicine practice 199.08 THB 2) Thai massage 379.08 THB 3) Herbal compress 295.59 THB 4) Herbal steam 293.58 THB 5) Hot salt pot compression 375.40 THB   6) Thai herbal compress massage 469.08 THB 7) Herbal poultice 259.16 THB 8) Abdomen herbal poultice 260.00 THB      9) Eye herbal poultice 195.88 THB 10) Herbal moxibustion 213.14 THB 11) Herbal soak 250.23 THB   12) Herbal bath 287.39 THB 13) Herbal burning 276.57 THB 14) Charcoal sitting (Nung Tarn) 233.24 THB 15) Bong-Tor with rattan thorn 190.74 THB and 16) Postpartum recovery service package 909.18 THB.

This study on TTM service rates in public health facilities provides crucial data on the service provision cost for each activity. The findings can be utilized for determining standardized service rates, improving cost management and enhancing the efficiency of service delivery and resource allocation within public health units.

Keywords: Thai traditional medicine, Cure and rehabilitation, Activity base costing.