Technology Assessment and Social Security in Thailand" (TASSIT)

Abstract

Technology Assessment and Social Security in Thailand (TASSIT)The project on "Technology Assessment and Social Security in Thailand" (TASSIT) started in 1993 and has since developed and now also includes other areas. It incorporates a variety of projects dealing with health technologies, equity issues in financing and delivery of health care services, manpower development, hospital management and the social security system. Many of the activities planned in each of the projects have already taken place and some are planned for later. The TASSIT project is a collaboration between the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) in Thailand the Division of International Health Care Research (IHCAR), Karolinska Institute in Sweden. In the project on Capacity Building for Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a proposal for establishing an independent, national mechanism for HTA has been proposed and necessary mechanisms have been worked on and discussed at a regional meeting. A method for measuring equity in health care delivery and financing has been further developed within the TASSIT project, and the first results from Thailand are presented in this report. The method and the findings have gained international attention also outside Asia and Europe. A project proposal for Health Manpower Development has been developed and contacts with possible Swedish Institutions for future research and exchange of students and teachers have been established. A proposal for an independent research unit for analysis, evaluation and academic research to be set up within the Social Security Office (SSO) in Thailand has beendeveloped. The information gained from this unit should be used to improve the social security system in Thailand, through providing a better understanding and appreciation of the system. A training program for cost analysis at all level of the health care system has been developed in Thailand as a step in the Hospital Management project and different models for improving efficiency in hospitals (including DRG' s, internal marketing and self governing hospitals) will be experimented with in five different hospitals in Thailand. The success of the TASSIT project so far is shown in the international attention and recognition that several of the sub-projects have gained. Ideas resulting from the collaboration between Thai and Swedish researchers within the TASSIT project have been discussed and presented at international meetings in the region but also outside of Asia. It is our hope belief that this success will continue, and expand, as more activities take place within the TASSIT project and results from these are shared and spread within but also outside the project. The TASSIT project has positively capitalised on Swedish experience, encouraged north-south collaboration and provided experience relevant for work in other countries in the Asia region and elsewhere. Fund: Health Systems Research Institute, Karolinska Institute