Effects of a Knowledge Management Process on Knowledge and Community Network Participation for Older Adults’ Care: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

This one-group, pretest–posttest, quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of a knowledge management process on knowledge and participation among a community network in older adult health care in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The sample consisted of older adults and community leaders involved in older adult health care, including community leaders, public health officers, nurses, village health volunteers, local administrative organization personnel, subdistrict heads, village headmen, elderly care volunteers, and caregivers of older adults. The sample consisted 46 participants. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants based on predetermined eligibility criteria. The experimental intervention consisted of a 16-week knowledge management activity program for community networks in older adult health care.  The program was developed based on the concepts of Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) and knowledge management. Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, a knowledge questionnaire on older adult health care (CVI = 0.89, KR-20 = 0.76), and a community network participation assessment scale (CVI = 0.92, Cronbach’s coefficient = 0.82). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests.

The results revealed that, after participating in the knowledge management activities, participants demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge regarding older adult health care than before pre-intervention. Community network participation in older adult health care also increased significantly after the intervention. Furthermore, enhanced collaboration was observed among public health agencies, local administrative organizations, and community sectors. This indicates that the knowledge management process can significantly strengthen community networks and enhance the effectiveness of older adult health care at the community level. Therefore, these activities should be adapted and implemented in the development of healthcare service systems in other areas, with continuous monitoring of their implementation. However, the absence of a control group represents an important limitation, and the findings should be interpreted with caution.