Healthcare providers’ experiences of working with alcohol addiction treatment in Thailand

Abstract

Background: The high prevalence of alcohol consumption, together with its associated health risk factors, has long-term negative impacts on both society and the economy in Thailand. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare providers working with people experiencing alcohol addiction and the treatment programs in a Thai hospital. Methods: Qualitative study was applied in this study by conducting focus group interviews with 32 interdisciplinary healthcare providers, most of which were nurses. Content analysis was applied to analyze the verbatim-transcribed data. Findings: Two main topics emerged: (1) the collaborative practices related to alcohol treatment, and (2) the fit of the program, including how the treatment program functions. Obstacles were identified and formulated from several sub-categories. Conclusions: The findings included obstacles linked to the imported (Western) program and the patriarchal structure in Thai culture, which seem to intersect and reinforce each other.

Keywords:

• collaboration practices
• multidisciplinary
• rehabilitation
• nursing
• care professionals’ perspective

Acknowledgements

The researchers express their gratitude to the participants for sharing their experiences, as well as to the hospital involved for giving the opportunity to collect research data.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have not received any external funding to conduct this study.