THE IMPACT OF THE TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE COMMEMORATING HIS MAJESTY THE KING'S 60TH BIRTHDAY NAWAMINTHARACHINI HEALTH CENTER AND SUB-DISTRICT HEALTH PROMOTION HOSPITAL TO THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION IN HEALTH REGION 8, THAILAND
Keywords:
Impact, Mission Transfer, Public Health Personnel, Health Services, Mixed-Methods EvaluationAbstract
This mixed-methods study aimed to investigate the impacts of transferring responsibilities from Chalermprakiet Health Centers (60th Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen) and Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals to the Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs) in Health Region 8. Conducted across three provinces, the study collected quantitative data from 192 participants-comprising 32 service recipients and 32 health personnel from each province-through questionnaires using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Additionally, qualitative data were obtained via focus group discussions with 60 participants from both groups. Data analysis employed content analysis, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that impacts on service recipients differed by province. Quantitative results indicated high levels of overall satisfaction with services. However, qualitative data highlighted concerns about shortages of medicines, medical supplies, dental services, and chronic disease clinics. Regarding health personnel, quantitative data showed high levels of both facilitating and obstructive impacts on operations, alongside high expectations and satisfaction in various aspects. Qualitatively, personnel cited issues such as imbalances in resource distribution and budgeting, inadequate regulatory and procedural frameworks, lack of readiness, and mismatched staffing levels in relation to service needs.
In conclusion, the impacts of the responsibility transfer varied across provinces, largely influenced by differences in local readiness and administrative capacity. Key factors included human resource management, budgeting systems, operational protocols, and the strength of collaboration between PAOs and Provincial Public Health Offices through area-based health committees.
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