Development of the Model for New Pulmonary TB Case Care in TB Clinic, Roi-et Hospital

Abstract

Purposes : To study the care patterns for new pulmonary tuberculosis patients at the tuberculosis clinic of Roi-et Hospital.

Study design : This research study used the Action Research (AR).

Materials and Methods : The sample group was divided into two groups: the development planning group, which included internists, pharmacists, professional nurses at the Tuberculosis Clinic, professional nurses in the community nursing department, public health officers, nurse assistants, data recorders, village health volunteers, and pulmonary tuberculosis patients and their relatives, totaling 18 people; and the plan users group, consisting of new pulmonary tuberculosis patients and their caregivers, totaling 50 people. Data were collected using a tuberculosis knowledge and prevention of tuberculosis transmission questionnaire with a reliability coefficient (KR-20) of 0.76, and a patient satisfaction questionnaire for the care of new pulmonary tuberculosis patients with a reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of 0.81. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired simple t-tests.

Main findings : The findings revealed that the development process consisted of five steps: 1) health education for new pulmonary tuberculosis treatment, 2) DOT Supporter training, 3) utilization of online social media technology for medication adherence monitoring, 4) establishment of a mentoring system for new pulmonary tuberculosis patient care, and 5) satisfaction evaluation of the implementation. Results showed a significant increase in knowledge levels, with mean scores rising from 5.84 to 10.62 (p<.05). The majority of patients demonstrated improved knowledge from low level (86.00%) to high level (90.0%). Care satisfaction increased from moderate level (88.00%) to high level (100.00%), with mean scores improving from 3.20 to 4.82 (p<.05). All 25 patients achieved negative sputum test results at both 2 months and 6 months, demonstrating the effectiveness of the integrated development process.

Conclusion and recommendations : The research findings reflect the success of a multi-sectoral collaborative working model, which can serve as a prototype for sustainable prevention of medication non-adherence among new pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Therefore, experimental research should be conducted to further study the effectiveness of the development plan for new pulmonary tuberculosis patient care operations at the tuberculosis clinic of Roi Et Hospital.