STUDY OF ACCESS TO CARE, QUALITY OF LIFE,AND DEVELOPING HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN NAKHONSAWAN PROVINCE, FISCAL YEAR 2016

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) investigate access to the claim related to empowerment of persons with disability act B.E. 2550, ability to perform daily life activities, satisfaction with medical rehabilitation service, and quality of life among people with physical disability, 2) develop family and community based care system for disabled people, and 3) compare daily life activities, satisfaction, and quality of life before and after receiving developed system. Methodology of this study was research and development. It included 3 phases of 1) survey study, 2) system development, and 3) quasi-experimentation. Participants were 400 people with physical disability who were 15 years old or over. Study had been conducted during November, B.E. 2016 and September, B.E. 2017. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired t-test.

Results indicated that disabled people accessed to claim of the act regarding subsistence allowance, medical rehabilitation service, and personal assistance support as 92.30%, 79.50%, and 68.00%, respectively. 59.40% of them could perform daily life activities by their own. They were satisfied with medical rehabilitation service at a high level (x =60.90, SD = 9.59), had quality of life at a moderate level (x =73.80, SD = 16.60). After receiving the care system, scores of their daily life activities, satisfaction, and quality of life significantly increased (p < .001).

Findings suggest that associated organizations would work collaboratively to help disabled people to access to claim of the act and would develop family and community based care system covering all types of disabled people.