Abstract
Background: Increasing trend of traditional and alternative 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 using is
a fundamental right for all Thais according to the constitution as well as Universal Health Care Coverage
program. However, none of the study has been conducted to survey for Thai traditional and alternative
medicine (TT & AM) services together. This study therefore aimed to survey the data of TT & AM services
as well as to study the factors influencing utilization of TT & AM services in the outpatient department of
the hospitals under Ministry of Public Health. Method: The data of TT & AM services were collected
from October 2013 to March 2014. 456 data collecting forms were distributed through representatives of
Thai Traditional services in 76 Provincial Health Offices under Ministry of Public Health. The factors
influencing the utilization of TT & AM services at the outpatient department were analyzed with multiple
linear regressions. Results: 266 out of 456 data collecting forms were filled and sent back. The response
rate was 58.33%. Only 231 hospital responses (86.84%) could be analyzed. 186 hospitals (80.52%) provided
only Thai traditional medicine services while 45 hospitals (19.48%) provided Thai traditional medicine
services together with alternative medicine service. 10.93% of the total outpatient department (OPD) visits
was the utilization of TT & AM services. Factors influencing outpatient department utilization of TT &
AM 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). Recommendations: To strengthen the support of TT &
AM service, the relevant agency should develop more suitable workforce in service units and pay them
appropriate salary. In addition, the practitioners need to be developed in their clinical competency and
academic networking with universities is also crucial for implementation.
