The Development of Competency in Performing the Roles of Family Doctors of Village Health Volunteers, Sai Ngam District, Kamphaeng Phet Province

Abstract

This action research; the purpose was to assess the performance of family doctor roles of village health volunteers in Sai Ngam District, Kamphaeng Phet Province. The study was divided into 3 phases as follows: phase 1–situation analysis, a questionnaire was used with a sample of 274 people. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, analytical t–test, one–way ANOVA, Chi–square test, Pearson correlation coefficient. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Phase 2–program development, purposive samples of 15 people were selected, using a semi–structured interview. Data were analyzed with content analysis. Phase 3–trial, improvement and evaluation of the program. The target population was 35 village health volunteers who needed competency development. Data were analyzed by paired t–test. It was found that, after joining the program, the samples had performance scores passed the criteria, and had a high level of motivation. The family doctor’s role was performed at a moderate level: and the average performance score, motivation and fulfillment the role of family doctor were significantly higher than those before joining the program (p<0.05). Guidelines for competency development to increase effectiveness in performing the family doctor roles include: (1) development of application potential, (2) building relationships and strengthen morale, (3) supporting materials–equipment/operational manuals. From the findings, there are suggestions that: motivation for the performance of the volunteers and the capacity building model should be developed to be used as a framework for developing the potential of the volunteers.