Development and Feasibility of the Emergency Medical Services Hub for Northern Thai Older Adults: An Action Research Study

Abstract

Most older adults have unique needs and are suffering from chronic diseases. It is important to have quick and easy access to emergency medical services. Three-phase action research aimed to develop and assess the feasibility of implementing the Emergency Medical Service Hub for Older Adults Model in Upper Northern Thailand was conducted. In phase I and phase II, 27 emergency healthcare providers and 10 older adults were purposively recruited, and in phase III 16 emergency healthcare providers evaluated the feasibility of the model. The framework guided the study was based on action research methodologyand six emergency medical services system functions. Data were collected via in-depth interviews, observation, and self-report of the implementation feasibility questionnaire. All research instruments were validated by three experts, yielded a content validity index of 0.80-1, and the reliability test of the implementation feasibility questionnaire revealed a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.81. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.The final model consisted of six components: effective communication, registry and database, geographic information system, effective emergency medical service team, one-stop service emergency department for older adults, and continuum of care. Overall, the possibility of the model implementation was rated as high. The benefit and safety aspect of implementing the model was at the highest level, followed by its applicability. The use of the model is likely to benefit older adults. Effective implementation requires proper resource support and future study to examine the effectiveness of the model in a full-scale clinical trial is recommended.