Factors Affecting the Decision to Participate in the Projects of the National Health Security Office among Drugstores in Satun Province

Abstract

Objective: To study the factors affecting the decision to participate in the projects of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) among drugstores in Satun Province. Method: This qualitative research collected data through in-depth interviews with 14 licensees or practitioners of modern drugstores in Satun Province. Six, one, and four drugsstores in the study participated in the Primary Pharmacy Service Project (common illness), the Drug and Medical Supply Service Project for Public Health Service Organizations in Collaboration with Drugstores (Model 3 Drugstores), and the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Service Project for Services Paid by Fee Schedule, respectively. Data were analyzed using content analysis and presented in a descriptive format. Results: Factors affecting drugstores’ participation in the NHSO project consisted of 8 factors including 1) difficulty or complexity of the project participation/operation; 2) benefits from project participation; 3) influence from reference groups; 4) concerns about providing services to some groups of  recipients, such as those requesting condoms or birth control pills; 5) concerns about paying taxes; 6) access to project information; 7) feeling that participating in the project is not worthwhile, and 8) burden of providing services. Conclusion: This study identified various factors affecting drugstores’ decision to participate in the NHSO project in Satun Province. Relevant parties can use the information to formulate measures to encourage more drugstores to participate in the future projects.