Abstract
Background: Increasing trend of Traditional and Complementary Medicine use has been documented worldwide. In many developing countries, the majority of the population continues to use Traditional Medicine to meet its primary health care needs. In Thailand, the Thai Traditional Medicine service is a priviledge for all Thai according to our constitutional as well as Universal Health Care Coverage program. However, none of the study has been conducted to survey for Thai Traditional and Complementray Medicine (TT&CM) services together. This study therefore aims to survey the data base of TT&CM services as well as to study the factors influenecing outpatient department utilization of TT&CM services of Ministry of Public Health hospitals.
Method: The data base of TT&CM services were collected from October 2013 to March 2014. The structured collection sheet was distributed and collected through the 76 representatives of Thai Traditional services at the Health Provincial Office. The factors influenecing the outpatient department utilization of TT&CM services were analysed with Pearson’s Correlation, Independent t-test and multiple linear regressions.
Results: There were 266 from 456 hospitals have been reported their information. The response rate was 58.33. Only 231 hospitals (86.84%) could be analysed. One hundred percent reported that they have provided Thai Traditional Medicine services with 186 hospitals (80.52%) provide only Thai Traditional Medicine services while 45 hospitals (19.48) provide TT&CM services. The ratio of outpatient department utilization of TT&CM services among Ministry of Public Health hospitals was 16.69. Factors influencing outpatient department utilization of TT&CM services were the number of staffs (p-value<0.001), clinical competency for inpatient services (p-value=0.002), the number of staff receiving wage at least 15,000 Baht per month (p-value=0.017), being a study/ visiting site for education (p-value=0.011), continuing year of services (p-value=0.004) and herbal consumption value (p-value <0.001).
Discussion and Conclusion: Results of this study reveal that the numbers of Minsitry of Public Health hospitals providing TT&CM services are increase. To support TT&CM services, human resource planning along with reliable wage, clinical skill for Thai Traditional doctor especially inpatient services and networking with university are prioritized factors.
