BUDDHADHAMMA INTEGRATION FOR PROMOTING CAPACITY OF THE WORK OF PERSONNEL AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS IN BANGKOK

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the work performance competencies of personnel in public hospitals in Bangkok, 2. To examine factors affecting these competencies, and 3. To propose an integration of Buddhist principles to enhance these competencies, conducted by the mixed research methods. The quantitative research, data was collected from 397 samples and analyzed by descriptive statistics; frequencies, percentage, mean, standard deviation and stepwise multiple regression with statistics program package. The qualitative research, data were collected by in-depth interviewing 18 key informants and 9 participants in focus group discussion to confirm the body of knowledge after data synthesis.

The research results found that: 1. The overall work performance competencies of personnel in Bangkok public hospitals were at a high level, including good service, teamwork, adherence to integrity, and professional expertise accumulation. 2. Factors affecting work performance competencies of personnel in Bangkok public hospitals included: Work processes, especially social, economic, and family aspects, accounting for 31.5 percent of the variance. The Bala 5 principle, particularly, Viriya-bala, power of effort, and wisdom Pañña-bala, power of wisdom explaining 24. percent of the variance of personnel performance. 3. Integrating the Bala 5 principles, namely, Saddha, faith, Viriya, perseverance, Sati, mindfulness, Samadhi, concentration, and Panna, wisdom into the work process in all 4 areas: health and work, society and economy, spirit, and family to promote the 6 performance competencies of public hospital personnel in Bangkok: achievement orientation, good service, accumulation of professional expertise, adherence to correctness, and teamwork. Integrating Bala 5 principles could promote performance competencies in all areas, especially building confidence, perseverance, mindfulness, determination, and using wisdom in work, resulting in personnel having better performance and service efficiency.