Page 105 - J Trad Med 21-1-2566

J Thai Trad Alt Med Vol. 21 No. 1 Jan-Apr 2023 85

The Development of Healthcare Model for End-stage Cancer Patients Using
Thai Traditional Medicine and Herbs

Preecha Nootim , Pornchai Sawangwong , Amornrat Rachderm , Piyatas Jaiyen †
†
*, ‡
†
* Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
† Thai Traditional and Integrated Medicine Hospital, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine,
Bangkok 10100, Thailand
‡ Corresponding author: preecha.nootim@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review, develop and evaluate the situation and effects of a healthcare
model for end-stage cancer patients using Thai traditional medicine (TTM) and herbs. The holistic care concepts
combined with research and development model were used as the conceptual and methodological framework.
The study involved 30 purposively selected hospitalized patients with end-stage cancer, 30 primary caregivers of
such patients, 24 TTM practitioners and 31 multidisciplinary team members at five model TTM hospitals. The
study instruments included a tool for developing of a healthcare model and a tool for evaluating the outcome of
model implementation. The tools were validated by five experts and their Cronbach’s alpha or reliability values
were 0.79–0.86. Data were collected from September 2017 to May 2019 and descriptive statistics were used to
analyze quantitative data, whereas content analysis was applied for qualitative data. The results revealed that the
healthcare model for end-stage cancer patients using TTM and herbs had two components: (1) healthcare based
on TTM’s natural method (tham-ma-na-mai) that focuses on healthy body (with herbs), healthy mind and healthy
behaviors and (2) collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary healthcare providers in the phases of consultation,
caring, discharge and home visits/follow-ups as well as family visits after the patient’s death. After implementing
the model, the healthcare providers expressed a high feasibility level of the TTM-based end-stage liver cancer care
model implementation and their satisfaction with the care was significantly higher than before (p = 0.05). Among
the patients, their symptoms after discharge were significantly better than before (p < 0.001); and their satisfaction
level with the services of the multidisciplinary team was highest (Mean, 4.38; S.D., 0.46). The primary caregivers’
satisfaction was also highest (Mean, 4.22; S.D., 0.38). In summary, the study has demonstrated that the healthcare
model for end-stage cancer patients using TTM and herbs makes the work of the healthcare team easier, resulting
in a better coverage of patient care and improvements in the patients’ symptoms.

Key words: healthcare model, end-stage cancer, Thai traditional medicine (TTM), herbs