Development of Medical Equipment Support System for Dependent People in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This action research aimed to develop a medical equipment support system for dependent people in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The target groups included 18 network stakeholders, 20 dependent people, 5 caregivers of dependent people, and 5 village health volunteers (VHV). The research was conducted in three phases: (1) Study of the necessity and need for medical equipment for dependent people, (2) Development of a medical equipment support system for dependent people, and (3) Study of the results of the medical equipment support system for dependent people. Research instruments consisted of interview forms and satisfaction questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using means, standard deviations and interpret result.

The research results found that: (1) the most commonly needed medical device was the Fowler bed 35.00%, and most had a suitable environment for utilizing medical equipment 75.00%; (2) the developed support system comprises three components: a medical equipment management system, a borrow and return medical equipment service system, and a service information transfer system; and (3) the outcome evaluation of a medical equipment support system revealed a high level of satisfaction among network stakeholders (x̄ = 4.81, S.D. = 0.37) and a high level of satisfaction among caregivers of dependent people (x̄ = 4.63, S.D. = 0.92).

The medical equipment support system should be expanded to other areas in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. An online database system should be developed to link information among relevant agencies, and an operational manual should be prepared to ensure service sustainability.