Development of a model for Occupational Health services in Health Promotion Center 2 Phitsanulok

Abstract

This action research aims to develop an occupational health service model at the Regional Health Promotion Center 2 Phitsanulok and evaluate the effectiveness of the developed model. The development of the occupational health service model follows the conceptual framework of Kemmis & McTaggart, consisting of four stages: planning, designing the occupational health service model, observing the implementation outcomes, and reflecting on the practice. The sample group involved in the planning stage comprised 12 participants, selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria, including the hospital director, heads of the health screening and counseling units, and 9 members of the occupational health committee. Data collection was conducted between January and May 2024, and the data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The results showed that the occupational health service model at  the Regional Health Promotion Center 2 Phitsanulok, operates under the Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment Committee. The committee consists of occupational medicine physicians, occupational health nurses, and personnel trained in safety. The operational activities are divided into two main parts: policy implementation and service provision. The services are both proactive and reactive, supported by an occupational health clinic. The evaluation of the developed occupational health service model at the Regional Health Promotion Center 2 Phitsanulok, indicated that the model met the criteria and standards for occupational health and environmental medicine services for community hospitals across five components: management support for occupational health and environmental medicine services, occupational health services for personnel, proactive occupational health and environmental medicine services, reactive occupational health and environmental medicine services, and environmental medicine service implementation. All components achieved 100% compliance, rated at an excellent level.