Abstract
This mixed-methods research and development study aimed to: 1) investigate
the current situation and capacity needs of telehealth systems among healthcare
personnel in remote service networks of Nan Province, 2) design and pilot a training
program to develop telehealth system competencies for healthcare personnel in
remote service networks, and 3) evaluate the implementation of the telehealth system
training program. The study employed an integrated research methodology, combining
Research and Development (R&D) approach for creating collaborative learning
innovations with Implementation Research to test the training program in actual
contextual settings. The research process consisted of five sequential stages: 1)
situation analysis and needs assessment, 2) training program design, development, and
testing, 3) real-world contextual implementation, 4) evaluation, and 5) learning
synthesis and innovation dissemination. Participants included personnel from royal
suksala, collaborative health suksala, community public health services, sub-district
health promotion hospitals, community hospitals, district and provincial public health
offices, and related organizations. Data were collected through questionnaires and
program evaluation tools, with quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics
and qualitative data analyzed through content analysis and thematic synthesis. Study
findings revealed a 45-hour telehealth training curriculum with 29 trained personnel.
Post-training assessments demonstrated increased knowledge and skills in telehealth
systems, with participants reporting highest satisfaction with the learning approach.
Regarding healthcare service accessibility, the training resulted in 157 additional
patients accessing telehealth services through the Son.Buddy program across 22
healthcare units in four districts: Bo Kluea, Chaloem Phrakiat, Pua, and Mueang Nan.
The telehealth system curriculum was subsequently expanded through collaboration
with Nan Community College and developed into an online learning platform
accessible at https://suksala-nan.com.
