Abstract
Health promotion service is the most important component of the Universal Health Care Coverage Scheme. However, many evidences suggest that its quality could be directly and indirectly impaired, mainly because of capitation payment mechanism. Consequently, quality assurance system is necessary. Most of the national quality assurance systems in Thailand concentrate on curative care instead of health promotion. However, there are a number of quality assurance initiatives in many provinces. In order to set up the efficient system, extensive review of the current situation and ideal solution should be conducted. In this study, literatures regarding quality assurance of health promotion services will be analyzed. Information on existing and expected quality assurance system and factors affecting the quality of health promotion services will be gathered by in-depth and focus-group interview of system experts and medical personnel at the operational level in five provinces—Bangkok, Ayuthaya, Chiang Mai, Nakornratchasima, and Pattani. It can be concluded that quality assurance system of health promotion services is essential. The system should help improve the services by using positive approaches and can merge with some existing quality assurance system. However, there is diverse comprehension among system experts and health care providers regarding the principles and responsibilities of health promotion services. This results in varieties of provincial quality assurance system. Factors that can impact the quality assurance system of health promotion can be categorize into four major aspects—principles and policy, budget, providers, and target population.
