Improvement of Health Information in Continuing Care System for Hypertensive Patients From Hospital to One Community, Namnao Sub District, Namnao District, Phetchabun Province

Abstract

          This research is an action research aiming to study situation and develop continuing healthcare system on hypertensive patient information from hospital to a community, in Nam Nao Subdistrict, Nam Nao District, Phetchabun Province. The research informants included 20 hypertensive patients, 6 healthcare workers and 10 health volunteers. Research data were collected by semi-structured in-depth interview, focus group discussion, non-participant observation and field note record. The research process was comprised of four steps:   1) Situational study of continuing healthcare system in hypertensive patients, 2) Action planning, 3) Implementation, and 4) Evaluation by quantitative data analysis using descriptive statistics and qualitative data analysis using content analysis. The research was performed during August 2019 to May 2020.

          The research results revealed that the perception of hypertensive patients about hypertension was insufficient for self-care; the healthcare workers transferred information from Hypertension Clinic to Primary Care Unit in only some patients and continuing care guidelines were also unclear; the health volunteers perceived less knowledge about disease and complication; most cares were merely measuring blood pressure at home. Therefore, the planning and action were jointly established with the representatives of informants. The development was performed by planning continuing healthcare; transferring hypertensive patient information from Clinic to Primary Care Unit and community; providing clear guidelines for home visits; organizing training to educate hypertensive patients and healthcare volunteers. The hypertensive patients were received home visits and transferred information to Primary Care Unit and Clinic, which generated a continually care for hypertensive patients.