Development of Knowledge Management Model for Herbal Use to Promote Health of the Elderly in Sukhothai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the conditions, problems, and factors associated with herbal knowledge management; and 2) to develop and evaluate a model for herbal knowledge management to promote the health of the elderly. This was the research and development. A multi-stage sampling was employed. The sample consisted of 400 elderly people in Sukhothai Province. Key informants were purposively selected, including Thai traditional medicine practitioners, public health administrators and academics, professional nurses, traditional healers, herbalists, elderly networks, village health volunteers, family and community representatives, and experts in knowledge management and model development, 65 people. The research instruments included a questionnaire with a consistency index of 0.80–1.00, an alpha coefficient of 0.92 and 0.94, as well as an interview and assessment form. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and expert-based seminars. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. The results of the research found that 1) the conditions, problems, and factors associated with herbal knowledge management focused on the targets/topics of herbal knowledge, sought knowledge from television programs, and applied best practices from health-promoting hospitals. The method used was memorization and no knowledge assessment. Knowledge management problems were high, while internal and external factors were moderate; 2) the development of a herbal knowledge management model to promote the health of the elderly consisted of eight components: (1) model principles, (2) model objectives, (3) inputs, (4) processes, (5) outputs, (6) outcomes, (7) model implementation conditions, and (8) success factors. The evaluation of the herbal knowledge management model for promoting the health of the elderly revealed high and high levels of suitability, feasibility, accuracy, comprehensiveness, and usefulness.