The Development of Healthcare Model for End-stage Cancer Patients Using Thai Traditional Medicine and Herbs
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to review, develop and evaluate the situation and effects of a healthcare model for end-stage cancer patients using Thai traditional medicine (TTM) and herbs. The holistic care concepts combined with research and development model were used as the conceptual and methodological framework. The study involved 30 purposively selected hospitalized patients with end-stage cancer, 30 primary caregivers of such patients, 24 TTM practitioners and 31 multidisciplinary team members at five model TTM hospitals. The study instruments included a tool for developing of a healthcare model and a tool for evaluating the outcome of model implementation. The tools were validated by five experts and their Cronbach’s alpha or reliability values were 0.79–0.86. Data were collected from September 2017 to May 2019 and descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, whereas content analysis was applied for qualitative data. The results revealed that the healthcare model for end-stage cancer patients using TTM and herbs had two components: (1) healthcare based on TTM’s natural method (tham-ma-na-mai) that focuses on healthy body (with herbs), healthy mind and healthy behaviors and (2) collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary healthcare providers in the phases of consultation, caring, discharge and home visits/follow-ups as well as family visits after the patient’s death. After implementing the model, the healthcare providers expressed a high feasibility level of the TTM-based end-stage liver cancer care model implementation and their satisfaction with the care was significantly higher than before (p = 0.05). Among
the patients, their symptoms after discharge were significantly better than before (p < 0.001); and their satisfaction level with the services of the multidisciplinary team was highest (Mean, 4.38; S.D., 0.46). The primary caregivers’ satisfaction was also highest (Mean, 4.22; S.D., 0.38). In summary, the study has demonstrated that the healthcare model for end-stage cancer patients using TTM and herbs makes the work of the healthcare team easier, resulting in a better coverage of patient care and improvements in the patients’ symptoms.
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