The Leadership Characteristics Model of Primary Public Health Administrators in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research were aimed to study the leadership characteristics model of primary public health administrators in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. The data of this qualitative research were collected by an in-depth interview. The instrument used in this research was semi-structured interview form designed by the researcher. Derived from purposive sampling, the key informants were comprised of 30 primary public health administrators or directors of the subdistrict health-promoting hospitals. The data were analysed by content analysis approach and interpreted in accordance with the research objectives. The findings revealed that the main leadership characteristics of primary public health administrators consisted of (a) the administrational integration, (b) the time management, (c) love for work, (d) the holistic health model, (e) the human resource management and (f) the ethics. These results were presented as a leadership characteristics model of primary public health administrators in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, or the HEALTH model. For problems and obstacles, it was found that the problem of the mental condition of the caregivers of the in-bed patients had increased. The personal development following the central government’s policy was not in accordance with the genuine work need. The ineffective disease control obviously appeared because of the frequent immigration of alien labourers. Moreover, some Thai people in this area had bias to open the country. By this, they ignored to develop themselves. For suggestion and application, it was found that the staff responsible for the in-bed patients had increasingly encountered with a mental condition. The primary public health administrators should find solutions under participation of all related sectors in order to be ready and go forward to the perfect ageing society. As a result, the caregivers of the elderly were effective.