Research and Development of the Telehealth Care Model for Older people with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Who Are Homebound in Bueng Phalai Subdistrict, Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Telemedicine has played an increasingly significant role in healthcare service delivery since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, telemedicine services are implemented across a wide range of disease categories, including among homebound older people with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), who require appropriate and accessible healthcare models.

This research and development (R&D) project comprised two phases: research and model development, guided by three objectives: (1) to examine the context and needs for implementing a telehealth model among homebound older adults with chronic NCDs in Bueng Phalai Subdistrict, Kaeng Sanam Nang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; (2) to develop a telehealth care model; and (3) to evaluate the outcomes of the developed model. The target population consisted of 32 homebound older people with chronic NCDs. The research instrument was a telehealth care model adapted from a participatory telemedicine service system for older adults with chronic NCDs. The intervention was implemented over a three-month period. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

The findings revealed that 100% of participants did not own a smartphone for accessing telemedicine services. The developed model comprised three principal components: community-based services, subdistrict health-promotion services, and hospital-based services. The community-based component was expanded to provide direct home-based care through coordinated community support. Patient satisfaction was high, with scores exceeding 80% across all items. The average service duration was approximately 1–1.5 hours, and patients had direct access to physician consultations. The study concluded that the developed model can be integrated into the existing telemedicine system in Bueng Phalai Subdistrict, enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Sustained implementation requires continuous strengthening of the community healthcare team.