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Session 2: Clinical studies and clinical application of traditional & indigenous medicine

Raising Consciousness: The Process of Integrating Thai Tradi-

tional Medicine into Current Health Care Systems of Physiciansû
Experiences

Katekaew Jehso*, Sanguan Lerkiatbundit**, Wantanee Wiroonpanich***

*Pathum Thani Public Health Office, 14 M4 Ratamnuay Road, Bangprok, Muang, Pathum Thani,
12000, Thailand.
**Facuty of Pharmacy, Prince of Songkla University, Khohong District, Hatyai, 90110, Thailand
***Facuty of Nursing, Prince of Songkla University, Khohong District, Hatyai, 90110, Thailand

Background and Rationale: Thailandûs current health care system is in the pluralistic
medical system. Modern medicine has become the mainstream health care system and Thai
Traditional Medicine (TTM) has become a branch of non-conventional medicines. It is well
recognized that modern medicine is probably not the definite answer to the health of the
nation. High burden on health care expenditure has played a role in the çcome backé of TTM
and physicians play a crucial role in the successful integration of TTM in health care systems.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the physiciansû
experiences in integrating TTM into current health care systems.
Methodology: A qualitative grounded theory method was deemed to be the best way to
explore the ways of knowing and thinking about the interested issues from physiciansû per-
spective. A purposive sample of 12 participants was obtained from physicians working in
seven hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) with successful/unsuccessful
integration of TTM into their practice at the hospitals. Primary data were collected by con-
ducting semi-structured and open-ended interviews, observations, interview with patients
and staff, and review of hospital chart, record and documents. Various data collection methods
were employed to increase trustworthiness by triangulation approach.
Results: The findings showed that the conditions enabling physicians to integrate TTM
into their practice were 1) the MOPH policy, and 2) physiciansû perceptions on limited effec-
tiveness in some diseases, side effects, and high cost of modern medicine and the physicians
were raising other health personnelûs consciousness to integrate TTM into their practice and
current health care system was divided into 3 phases including (1) developing of the TTM
integrated service model (2) disseminating and (3) implementing. It was found that the pro-
cesses to persuade health care personnel to accept TTM and integrate it into their practices
were improving their TTM knowledge, attitudes, understanding and trust in TTM using vari-
ous strategies including 1) communicating 2) training and 3) directly and indirectly gaining
experience about TTM.
Conclusion: Recommendations relating to the findings are TTM knowledge and
experience should be included in the curriculum of medical school to inculcate knowledge,
positive attitudes, understanding and trust in TTM among medical students.
Key words: Thai traditional medicine, raising consciousness, communicating, training,
gaining experience