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1. The author is interested in studying the suicide problem in Thailand due to the increasing trend of suicide, the high suicide rate of more than 6 people per 100,000 population, and the lack of quantitative research at the macro-level.
2. Population over 60 years of age (AGE60) is one of the risk factors that significantly increases the suicide rate (p < 0.01 for both models). Many older adults in Thailand lack effective financial and social support. Many live without family support, without regular income or adequate living allowances, which may lead to depression and suicidal ideation.
3. Statistical modeling helps in studying the epidemiological and spatial studies of suicide problems in Thailand in the following ways:
– Identifying risk factors that influence suicide. For example, using multiple regression models allows for the identification of the level of the relationship between factors and the ability to distinguish which factors have a positive or negative relationship with suicide rates. This helps to decide which factor should be controlled first if we want to reduce suicide rates.
– Interpreting spatial data. For example, a model using data by province can compare differences between regions and show which regions have higher suicide rates. It can also help find local causes, such as being an agricultural or industrial area, which may relate to income and cost of living.
– Statistical models help control confounders and check if the model fits the data. This makes the results more reliable.
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I’m having trouble installing the INLA package, whether I’m using the R code from the Introduction to R-INLA Activities, friends comments in the Course Forum, or the website https://www.r-inla.org/download-install.
I’m still getting an error message:cp: unknown option — )
ERROR: installing binary package failedSo I asked ChatGPT and used this code to successfully install it on my Windows.
install.packages(“INLA”, repos = c(INLA = “https://inla.r-inla-download.org/R/stable”), type = “binary”)
I hope this INLA installed will be useful for course learning and class projects.
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1. Descriptive epidemiology focuses on the triad of people, place, and time. However, in the past, most epidemiology research focused more on individual factors like age, gender, genetics, and behavior, or on how diseases changed over time, rather than historically focusing on place or location. A significant reason for this lack of interest in place was the limitations of suitable databases and insufficient software for effectively managing and analyzing spatial data in the past. But now, with advance technology, spatial epidemiology has many more chances in epidemiological research. Because of this, spatial epidemiology is an interdisciplinary field. It requires knowledge and skills in epidemiology, statistics, geography, and computer science to understand how people, places, and environments are connected, and how they affect health.
2. The place where an individual lives or works should be considered a potential disease determinant because it can indicate the risk of health problems and the onset of diseases. This is because “place” encompasses environmental, social, and economic factors. For example, individuals living or working near nuclear power plants or coal-fired power plants may be exposed to radiation or various toxins, increasing their risk of developing diseases such as cancer. In remote rural areas, individuals may experience malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies due to limited access to diverse and healthy food sources. In urban areas, living in densely populated environments, the social and environmental at the workplace, can contribute to conditions like stress and office syndrome.
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I would like to share the COVID–19 Pandemic Surveillance Dashboard. This dashboard helps decision makers, as well as medical and public health personnel and researchers, by showing clear and updated COVID-19 data such as confirmed, recovered, and death cases by date, country, and continent. It includes filters for selecting a country, year, and date range, which makes it easier to focus on specific time periods or regions. This helps users quickly understand the situation and compares.
Go to the interactive dashboard –> https://lookerstudio.google.com/s/oaIk3f9r7Hw
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Hello, everyone. Here is my assignment for this week. However, from working on the Week 3–4 assignments, I found that customizing graphs in Looker has limitations when it comes to sorting data in chronological order, such as when dividing the dimensions into years.
Looker Studio link: https://lookerstudio.google.com/s/lXjQf29F26o
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Hello, everyone. I would like to share my data visualizations for week3 assignment, which are in the PDF below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uELdMFcXQ4ckYpiXU-Ag0TEQibfUcmCs/view
<iframe src=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uELdMFcXQ4ckYpiXU-Ag0TEQibfUcmCs/preview” width=”640″ height=”480″ allow=”autoplay”></iframe>The interactive version is available via this Looker Studio link: https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/b14f5a4e-b120-4b10-bee3-cdb7be86541f
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I would like to present the Tuberculosis Epidemiological Profile Dashboard by WHO https://data.who.int/dashboards/tuberculosis?m49=764 Overall, this dashboard is well-designed and covers all important aspects related to TB.
What I like:
• The dashboard is placed on one single webpage. The information is well organized in steps. I can scroll down and follow the order smoothly. The menu on the left side helps me navigate easily.
• The website uses soft colors like light grey, white, and blue. The font and text size are easy to read.
• The dashboard uses many types of charts. The colors are simple but help show trends and differences between groups clearly. However, I feel the orange and red colors in the same chart are too similar.
• Some charts show estimated values with upper and lower bounds. This helps users understand the data is not exact.
• There are links to download raw data and data sources, which is helpful for analysts.
• The dashboard includes metadata and a glossary of definitions.What I do not like:
• Some charts use colors that are too close (like orange and red), which makes them hard to tell apart.
• To help policymakers or non-clinical users understand the data more quickly and clearly, the dashboard should add a one-page summary report (Mini Dashboard Summary) at the top of the page, before Section 1 (Tuberculosis Epidemiological Profile). This will highlight the key insights first. -
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I have learned that GDPR and PDPA share similar approaches in safeguarding health data in research and healthcare institutions. Organizations must follow legal principles, implement strict security measures, and ensure compliance through policies and protocols.
My Infographic Wrap-Up! https://snipboard.io/6lCZis.jpg
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The Code of Ethics for Health Informatics ensures patient data is handled with privacy, security, and fairness. Ethical rules guide data use, management, and research to protect individuals. Violating rules, like sharing user login, risks data breaches and legal consequences. Reporting data breaches is important to maintain accountability.
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I have learned about the limitations and precautions of using AI in Healthcare. AI will help and support the work to be efficient, not replace personnel. Because medical and health decisions that involve human life are important. AI decisions will not instill confidence in patients and medical personnel. In addition, there are concerns about ethics, legal, technology, data quality, public health issues.
My Wrap up infographic –> https://snipboard.io/NR3ZoB.jpg
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Thailand has a Primary Care System that is available nationwide, as I mentioned in Topic discussion 1. The Universal Coverage Scheme (Gold Card) is a fundamental right that helps people access medical treatment without high financial burdens. The primary care system in Thailand is divided into three levels as follows:
1. Primary Care Services: Focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, basic medical treatment, and rehabilitation. It is managed by doctors, nurses, public health officers, and village health volunteers (VHV). Service units at this level include Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals (SHPH) and Community Health Centers.
2. Secondary Care Services: Provides outpatient and inpatient services and can offer basic specialized treatment. It supports patient referrals from primary care services and is staffed with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and public health personnel. Service units at this level include Community Hospitals or District Hospitals.
3. Tertiary Care Services: Offers highly specialized care and treats complex diseases. It provides specialized medical services and supports referrals from community hospitals. Service units at this level include Provincial Hospitals, General Hospitals, or Regional Hospitals.Case Study of a Successful Primary Health Intervention
The Village Health Volunteer (VHV) System is one of Thailand’s globally recognized projects. The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised it as an effective model for public health promotion. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, VHVs played a crucial role in distributing health information about disease prevention and facilitating access to vaccines. The success of the VHV system is attributed to the following factors:
• Extensive network: There are currently over 1,500,000 VHVs nationwide, with each volunteer responsible for about 20 households.
• Community involvement: VHVs are local residents who understand community culture and people’s behavior.
• Government support: VHVs receive allowances and training from the Ministry of Public Health.
• Use of innovation and technology: Digital applications are used for health data collection.Case Study of an Unsuccessful Primary Health Intervention
The Health Information Exchange (HIE) System in Thailand has faced several challenges, despite efforts to develop a system for data sharing between hospitals and public health units. The main issues include:
• Incompatibility of Health Information Systems (HIS): Different hospitals use various HIS platforms, causing difficulties in data exchange.
• Scattered and duplicate patient health records.
• Despite the Ministry of Public Health’s standardized data structure (43 files), the system may not be efficient enough for seamless data exchange.
• Concerns about health data security, patient privacy, and system safety.
• Limited IT skills among public health personnel, along with communication and coordination challenges between multidisciplinary teams working on HIE implementation.In conclusion
Thailand has a Primary Care System that covers all levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary care. The VHV system plays a key role in public health promotion and has been recognized by WHO. However, the Health Information Exchange (HIE) System still faces limitations in system compatibility, data duplication, Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Health Information Technology, and health data security.Reference: https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/social/877773
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The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme in Thailand is based on three main state health insurance schemes, which provide coverage to almost 100% of the Thai population.
1. Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS) implemented since 1980, covering civil servants and their families (7.2%).
2. Social Security Scheme (SSS) covering private sector employees who are insured (17.3%).
3. Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) scheme, also known as the 30-baht gold card, which was launched in 2002, covers the general public who are not covered by the first two schemes, making up the largest number (72.3%). It provides comprehensive healthcare services free of charge at the point of care, including inpatient and outpatient services, essential medicines, and preventive care. The UCS has been recognized by many leaders as an example of a country that has achieved universal health coverage while at a moderate-income level, enabling all Thais to access essential healthcare services.Outcomes and strengths of the UHC in Thailand
– People, especially low-income groups, have access to healthcare services universally. Receive comprehensive services
– Reduce the burden of health expenses, prevent problems with medical expenses that make households bankrupt, no copayment at the service point
– Reduce the rate of premature death from serious diseases such as AIDS, cancer and kidney failure that in the past the poor could not access
– Efficient management using the structure of sub-district hospitals, community hospitals, provincial hospitals, providing services according to the level of ability
– Emphasize preventive care such as free vaccination, maternity care and disease screening, resulting in better health outcomesWeaknesses and challenges
– The budget for UHC comes mainly from government taxes, which may not be sustainable in the long term, especially as Thailand enters a full-fledged aging society, resulting in an increase in the demand for public health services, which requires an increased budget.
– Thailand faces a shortage of doctors and nurses, especially in remote areas. Rural hospitals often face a shortage of staff and equipment.
– Ineffective patient referral systems may delay treatment.
– The increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer result in higher treatment costs. Lifestyle-related diseases require better preventive strategies.Although Thailand’s UHC program has been successful in increasing access to health services, reducing the burden on people’s expenses and developing a more efficient service system, However, there is a point to discuss about the inequality between the 3 systems. Civil servants (CSMBS) receive treatment through the fee-for-service system, which has no budget ceiling, while the SSS and UCS use a capitation system that sets a limited budget. This has led to debates about the quality of service between different rights, including the issue of co-payment. Because UCS currently provides free treatment for all illnesses, there is an increased incentive to use the service. There may be unnecessary use of services. In addition, people lack awareness of taking care of their own health problems. The proposal to have a co-payment system to ease the budget burden still lacks a clear policy. And I think it may be resisted by the public.
What needs to be done to make UHC more effective and sustainable
I think of the phrase “Prevention is better than cure” by promoting primary care to be stronger. Support sub-district health promotion hospitals (sub-district health promotion hospitals) and family doctor clinics to be the front line of the health system. Reduce the burden on large hospitals. It may use technology and AI in activities to provide knowledge and promote health for all age groups.I also agree that the co-payment system should be implemented in cases where a person’s behavior is the cause of disease or accidents. This is especially true for high-risk behaviors that directly lead to a burden on the public health system and society. Examples include liver cirrhosis from alcohol consumption, accidents caused by drunk driving, lung cancer from smoking, accidents from drug use, and accidents resulting from negligence or illegal actions. In these cases, individuals should take responsibility for their own medical costs or contribute to the expenses.
Conclusion
Thailand’s UHC is one of the successful models in the world, helping to increase access to medical care. However, there are still challenges in terms of budget, service quality, and management that need to be continuously developed, especially in increasing the efficiency of the primary care system, preparing to cope with the aging society, and considering appropriate Co-payment approaches.Reference:
Thailand Health Profile 2016-2017 Chapter 8: Integration of the Universal Health Coverage System in Thailand
https://spd.moph.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%93%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2.pdf -
The gaps of healthcare inequality between rural and urban areas in Thailand has been a long-standing issue, with significant differences in both access and quality of medical services.
I think that geographical factors and infrastructure are the main causes of this gap. Thailand has a diverse landscape—mountainous regions in the north make travel to medical facilities difficult, the northeastern region is remote and far from large hospitals, and the southern region has mountains, coastlines, and islands, leading to a shortage of medical personnel and healthcare infrastructure. These factors affect access to medical services, causing delays in treatment for rural patients due to the distance of hospitals, lack of medical staff, limited equipment, and difficulties in patient referrals. These challenges lead to further differences in several areas:
1. Access to medical care and treatment – Urban areas have specialists, medical staff, and modern equipment such as MRI and CT scans, allowing patients to receive fast and effective treatment. In contrast, rural areas face a shortage of specialists, with one doctor often having to care for many patients, resulting in long waiting times, delayed diagnoses, and lower quality of treatment.
2. Emergency response and patient referrals – Cities have highly efficient emergency systems, with ambulances reaching patients quickly and referrals to specialized hospitals being straightforward. However, in rural areas, patients must travel long distances for treatment, ambulances are limited, and some areas lack accessible roads, leading to delayed treatment and increased risks of fatality.
3. Health awareness and disease prevention – Urban residents benefit from better education and access to health information, awareness campaigns, and regular disease screenings. In rural areas, health knowledge is often limited, leading to lower disease prevention efforts and late-stage diagnoses.Thailand has been working to reduce this gap for decades. The Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Foundation, established in 1969, is one of the projects aimed at providing medical services to remote communities, promoting health, preventing diseases, and allowing medical professionals to help underserved populations. Today, Thailand has improved infrastructure and developed a regional healthcare management system to address these issues. Additionally, the country is integrating technology and innovation, such as:
• Primary Care Cluster (PCC) – A system that connects community health centers with larger hospitals, improving patient referrals.
• Telemedicine – Many hospitals now offer telemedicine services, allowing rural patients to consult specialists via video calls, reducing waiting times and travel costs.
• Medication refill and home delivery services – A system that helps chronic disease patients receive medications without frequent hospital visits.
• Mobile health units – Medical professionals and diagnostic tools are brought to remote areas to provide care for underserved populations.
• Mobile X-ray units – These allow rural residents to access diagnostic services more conveniently.
• Medical drones – Thailand has tested drone deliveries for medicine in remote areas, such as in Satun province, similar to the project mentioned by Ari Isman.Proposals to Reduce the Urban-Rural Healthcare Gap
1. AI for health data analysis – AI and big data can predict disease trends, such as diabetes and dengue fever, assessing risks in different regions to help public health authorities prepare better.
2. Expanding medical drone services – Besides delivering medicine, drones could be used to transport blood samples for testing or send emergency medical supplies faster than ambulances.
3. Developing Mobile Health Units – Equipping mobile clinics with basic life-saving equipment to provide easier access to healthcare.
4. Advancing digital health technology – Creating platforms for health education, nutrition, and hygiene to empower communities to take better care of their health.
5. Incentives for medical professionals in rural areas – Providing scholarships, financial support, and special benefits to attract and retain doctors and healthcare workers in remote areas.
6. Enhancing government efficiency and transparency – Ensuring fair and sufficient distribution of medical resources and equipment across regions.Conclusion
The healthcare disparity between urban and rural areas in Thailand is primarily due to geographical, infrastructural, and resource distribution challenges, resulting in differences in access and quality of medical care. Addressing this issue requires continuous efforts. Utilizing digital technology, such as telemedicine, AI, and mobile health units, alongside better support for rural medical personnel, can help ensure equal access to quality healthcare for all citizens. -
From news and my work experience, I recognize Thailand’s long-standing challenges in the healthcare workforce. Recent reports also highlight a rising trend of doctors resigning due to those issues.
1. Workload and Burnout
Public hospitals often experience severe overcrowding due to an imbalanced patient-to-doctor ratio, particularly in tertiary care centers. This results in excessive workloads for healthcare professionals, leading to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and high stress levels. Long working hours further exacerbate the issue, contributing to fatigue and even tragic losses, such as news of a doctor having a car accident while driving home after extended shifts.2. Shortage of Healthcare Professionals
Many healthcare professionals in public hospitals, face heavy workloads due to high patient volume and staff shortages, leading to a high resignation rate. While rural areas face a shortage of doctors, nurses, and specialists, as most professionals prefer to work in urban centers or private hospitals. Additionally, experienced healthcare workers are approaching retirement, creating concerns about workforce sustainability.3. Inadequate Compensation and Delayed Payments
The low salaries and delayed payments are a significant problem in public hospitals. Many healthcare workers receive low wages compared to those in private hospitals. In addition, salary payments are often delayed, many staffs experience year-long payment backlogs.4. Limited Career Growth and training
Healthcare workers often experience slow career progression. Additionally, some medical specialties lack sufficient training programs, limiting opportunities for skill development and career advancement.To Improve the Health Workforce Situation:
1. Reduce Workload and Prevent Burnout
– Analyze the workload and calculate the patient-to-healthcare worker ratio to determine the appropriate increase in public hospital staff.
– Enhance work-life balance by implementing regulated work hours to ensure fair working hours.
– Promote a positive work environment and collaboration between different healthcare professions.
– Providing mental health support
– Use technology and AI to help with administrative tasks and patient management.2. Address the Shortage of Healthcare Professionals
– Provide benefits and incentives, such as housing or financial support, for specialists working in rural areas or high-demand areas.
– Develop a plan to train and recruit more healthcare workers, including replacing those who retire.
– Expanding medical school enrollments and offering scholarships for students who commit to working in underserved areas.3. Inadequate Compensation and Delayed Payments
– Adjust the salary base of doctors, nurses, and other shortage positions in public hospitals to align with the current cost of living.
– Improving the efficiency of payroll systems to ensure timely salary payments.4. Improve Career Growth and Incentives
– Create clearer career paths and faster promotions for public healthcare workers.
– Expand training programs for specialized fields to provide more learning opportunities.Reference: https://www.hfocus.org/content/2023/06/27776
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In my setting, EMR has been used for over 10 years, and currently some inpatient wards also use CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry). From my experience, there are both advantages and disadvantages to replacing traditional paper-based medical records with EMR.
One of the biggest advantages is the reduction in paperwork. This helps decrease the need for physical document storage, making the hospital environment more organized. With fewer paper records, there is also a lower risk of document loss. Another important benefit is that hospitals can use the freed-up space for other medical services.
Moreover, EMR helps improve patient safety, can reduce medical errors by minimizes misinterpretations due to illegible handwriting. EMR also speeds up the process of managing and submitting medical billing claims. This improves hospital cash flow and reduces delays in reimbursement. Additionally, EMR makes it easier to review and ensure the quality of medical record documentation.
Another key advantage is improved accessibility and efficiency. Healthcare providers can quickly retrieve patient records from anywhere within the hospital system, leading to faster decision-making and better patient care. EMR also allows for integration with other health information systems, such as laboratory results, imaging, and prescriptions, which helps healthcare teams work together more effectively. It also makes it easier to use data for different purposes, such as creating reports, statistics report, and conducting research.
However, there are also disadvantages. Some staffs members were resistant to using EMR, making the transition difficult. Some departments still need to use both paper records and EMR, which creates extra work and makes document management more complicated. This hybrid system can cause inefficiencies in medical record audits.
Another issue is the performance of the computers used. If the system is slow or unreliable, it can affect the workflow of healthcare providers, leading to frustration and delays in patient care. Technical problems, such as system crashes or network downtime, can also disrupt hospital operations.
Additionally, while EMR enhances data accessibility, it also raises concerns about data security and privacy. Hospitals must invest in cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive patient information from unauthorized access, data breaches, or cyberattacks.
In conclusion
Overall, EMR offers many benefits, especially in reducing paperwork, improving efficiency, enhancing data accessibility, and improving patient safety. However, successful implementation requires staff cooperation, proper training, a reliable IT system, and strong data security. -
Big health data has great potential to improve cardiovascular research, but there are many challenges that need to be addressed. Here are ways to address them:
1. Missing Data
Missing data is a common problem in big health datasets and can lead to biased results. To handle missing data, we can use imputation techniques, such as mean imputation, regression imputation, or multiple imputation, to estimate missing values based on available data. In cases where missing data is too high (over 60%), researchers should consider collecting additional data or using sensitivity analysis to check how missing values affect results. Improving data entry practices and integrating multiple data sources may help reduce missing data problems. It is also important to improve data collection by training healthcare workers to record information more consistently.2. Selection Bias
Selection bias happens when the data does not represent the entire population, leading to incorrect conclusions. One way to fix this is to collect data from many hospitals, regions, and patient demographics, to make the dataset more representative. Another way is using statistical methods, like propensity score matching, to balance the differences between patient groups. While big data allows for large sample sizes, it does not always mean better accuracy, so careful validation with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is necessary before applying findings to clinical practice.3. Data Analysis and Training
Analyzing big health data requires advanced statistical and programing skills, which many researchers and clinicians are not trained to use. To improve this, more training programs on biostatistics, statistical methods, AI, and programing should be provided to healthcare professionals. Using simple AI/ data analytics tools can help doctors and researchers use data more easily without needing advanced technical skills. However, collaboration between clinicians, data scientists, and engineers is also important to ensure accurate data analysis and interpreted correctly.4. Interpretation and Translational Applicability of Results
Since big data analyses are complex and not always easy to apply in real-world medicine, the interpretation and translational applicability of results can be difficult. To improve this, research findings should be presented in a simple and clear format for doctors and policymakers. AI models should be tested in real clinical settings before being widely used. It is also important to standardize data collection and ensure that studies use high-quality, well-documented datasets to avoid incorrect interpretations.5. Privacy and Ethical Issues
Handling patient data requires strict privacy protection to prevent misuse and ensure ethical research practices. Strong security measures, like encryption, secure storage and access controls, can help keep data safe from cyberattacks. Additionally, following legal regulations such as PDPA, GDPR and HIPAA ensures that data is used ethically. Most importantly, patients should be informed consent about how their data is used and should have the right to give or refuse consent.In conclusion, big health data offers many opportunities for cardiovascular research, but it also faces challenges. By addressing missing data, reducing selection bias, improving training, making results easier to use, and protecting privacy, these steps will help utilize big data more effectively and safely, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.
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In my opinion, the four recommended actions proposed for public health professionals to tackle corruption are practical and provide good guidelines.
I agree with the idea of gathering key stakeholders in the health system to understand the scope and nature of corruption. This is an important step to raise awareness and build shared responsibility. Supporting and protecting individuals who dare to expose corruption is essential, so they can share information without fear. It is also important to ensure that their concerns are fairly considered and that they are properly protected.
I also agree with the recommendation to prioritize actions based on impact and feasibility. This helps allocate resources efficiently, focusing on the most harmful and solvable forms of corruption. However, I think we should not ignore corruption that is often seen as something minor and ongoing, such as using office hours for personal tasks or misusing workplace resources. These behaviors, though often seen as minor, can become normalized over time and lead to more significant corruption.
Regarding the third and fourth recommendation, addressing complex problems with a holistic approach, I agree that it is necessary. Although research on health sector corruption is often published in niche journals, laws, regulations, and codes of conduct already exist in many places. In terms of research, I have a slightly different view. I think fair and consistent enforcement of laws and regulations might already be sufficient, combined with collaborative multi-disciplinary efforts. However, having the idea to develop research plans and use technology tools, such as big data analysis and social network analysis, could help monitor, oversee, and prevent corruption effectively.
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The “Cancer Anywhere” policy is an important example of healthcare system improvement in Thailand. Its main goal is to help cancer patients with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) get quick, complete, and free treatment. Patients can receive treatment in hospitals across provinces with the necessary capabilities without needing a referral. Technology like the Cancer Anywhere application and the TCB Plus system is used to manage patient information and make transfers easier. Additionally, The One program is used to book specific medical equipment, such as radiotherapy machines or MRI scans.
However, while the policy has good intentions, its implementation still faces many challenges. These can be analyzed using the WHO Framework: The Six Building Blocks:
1. Service Delivery
Services still face long waiting times, especially at large hospitals like medical schools, as patients trust their quality of care. Hospitals in rural areas often lack equipment and specialized doctors. Better distribution of patients and upgrading community hospitals can help reduce overcrowding.2. Health Workforce
Specialized medical staff, such as oncologists and radiologists, are limited and mostly concentrated in urban areas. Current staff also face heavy workloads, which may affect care quality. Training staff at community hospitals to provide basic cancer care is essential.3. Health Information Systems
While the Cancer Anywhere application is helpful, data sharing between hospitals is not yet complete. This causes delays, and patients still rely on referral documents. A fully integrated digital health system across the country is crucial.4. Access to Essential Medicines
Budgets for cancer drugs and related treatment costs are insufficient, forcing some hospitals to cover expenses themselves. Centralized purchasing can help reduce costs and improve fairness in drug access.5. Financing
Although patients do not have to pay, the complex reimbursement system and insufficient budgets cause financial problems for many hospitals. Improving clarity and efficiency in payment systems is necessary.6. Leadership and Governance
Frequent changes in treatment and reimbursement policies create confusion among patients and healthcare workers. Proactive communication and establishing a national management committee could help reduce problems and improve project oversight.In conclusion
The “Cancer Anywhere” policy is a positive effort to improve cancer care in Thailand. However, its success depends on solving key issues, such as distributing patients more evenly, increasing staff and equipment, improving data systems, and allocating sufficient budgets. If these challenges are addressed, Thailand’s healthcare system can advance and better meet the needs of its people.References:
– https://thaicancersociety.com/rights-to-health-care/cancer-anywhere/
– https://www.hfocus.org/content/2025/01/32695 -
For a super tertiary hospital, the stability and security of the information system are very important. We must ensure the system runs smoothly and that patient data is protected to keep the hospital functioning. The development of a disaster recovery plan should include the following key procedures:
Risk Assessment: Identify risks to the information system, such as hardware failure, cyberattacks, or natural disasters.
Data Backup Strategy: Implement regular backups using cloud storage and on-premise servers for redundancy. Use automated backup systems to reduce errors.
Replication: Use real-time data replication to ensure minimal data loss during a disaster.
Recovery Procedures: Develop a step-by-step recovery process for bringing systems back online quickly. Schedule periodic testing of the recovery system to ensure its effectiveness.
Communication Plan: Create a communication system to notify key staff and stakeholders in case of system failure.
Staff Training: Train IT and hospital staff on emergency procedures to ensure readiness.
For technology, considering the hospital’s large scale and limited budget. A hybrid backup system combines on-premise backups with cloud solutions for cost efficiency. Use Virtualization machines for faster recovery of critical systems. UPS and generators for reliable power backup. High-Availability Clusters to ensure continuous operation of critical applications.
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For my research project on DRG, I am applying some of the 12-step project management process. First, I clearly define my goals to learn about the DRG system and Case Mix Index and to complete the research within one year. I agree on the expected results, timeline, and deliverables.
Next, I list the tasks needed for the project and organize them by assigning jobs to team members and setting due dates for each task. To make the plan easier to follow, I use a Gantt chart to show the tasks and their deadlines visually.
Finally, I hold regular meetings to monitor progress, solve problems, and make any needed adjustments. And review the results at the end of the project.
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Thank you for your discussion, Your point about the study’s limitation in spatial analysis is very insightful. While the regression model identifies risk factors well, it doesn’t fully explore geographical patterns. Adding GIS or spatial clustering methods in future research would help better understand why northern provinces have such high suicide rates compared to other regions.
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Thank you for these insights. I agree that alcohol significantly increases suicide risk because it impairs judgment and decision-making. I’m surprised that economic hardship doesn’t increase suicide rates as expected. This shows how important statistical analysis is for understanding complex social issues properly.
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Hello Than Soe Oo, thank you for sharing, I agree that It is essential to comprehend that a health issue is concentrated in specific areas for allocating resources for prevention, treatment, or enhancing health results. I think that as new geographic tools get better, spatial epidemiology will become even more vital for health care system.
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Hi, Thinzar. Your dashboard shows a clear summary of total patients, with numbers for male and female. This helps users understand the data easily. It uses bar charts and pivot tables to show patient numbers by month, township, and clinic. This makes it easy to compare the data. I think it would be good to add an option to choose a date range for the report.
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Yes, teacher. I completed getting the API training data from the first connection (2 years of Malaria data and the Provincial Thailand population dataset) for the VDO course using the API. But, for the Week 2 assignment, I can’t connect to the API data sources for the COVID-19 Surveillance data and the Population by country due to the KPIBees limit.
So, can I use the 2 years Malaria data for the Week 2 assignment instead of the COVID-19 Surveillance data?
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It’s really sad to hear that hospitals are often targeted in conflicts. In the past, wars avoided attacking hospitals, but now it’s different. Even in Thailand no war, but we still news about violence in emergency rooms or recently man setting hospitals on fire due to stress. I think mental health monitoring is also very important.
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Implementation costs and dependence on technology are important challenges when using EMR. The hospital needs a good budget plan and staff training to make sure the system works well. Also, hospitals must prepare backup plans for system failures, such as manual record-keeping or alternative IT support, to ensure patient care continues smoothly.
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Thank you for sharing, I agree that quality of data should be one of the major challenges, while anonymization helps protect patient identities, obtaining informed consent should be a standard practice in big data research. However, in practice, obtaining explicit consent from every patient can be challenging, especially in retrospective studies where data has already been collected. Balancing ethical considerations with research feasibility remains a key challenge.
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Thank you for sharing these valuable suggestions! I agree that addressing missing data, Data Quality Improvement, and privacy concerns is crucial for making big health data more reliable in cardiovascular research. Collaboration between experts and institutions, along with clear guidelines and ethical frameworks, will help ensure accurate analysis and real-world applicability.
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Thank you for sharing. I agree that EMR improves efficiency and patient care by making information easily accessible and reducing errors. However, technical issues and data security are big concerns. Hospitals need to balance the benefits with proper training and strong security measures to protect patient data.
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Thank you for your insightful discussion. It reminds me of the word “goodness,” which, like corruption, can vary in meaning depending on their values and individual perspectives. Defining corruption carefully to avoid misinterpretation is crucial and ensure appropriate action in each unique context., especially in complex contexts like health systems.
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Thank you for sharing. I think coordination across all six WHO building blocks is essential for achieving sustainable and impactful outcomes. It will enhance healthcare access and improve patient follow-up more effectively. Additionally, I agree that ensuring the quality of health data is essential for a successful digital health system.
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Thank you for your sharing. I think implementing DHIS2 is a promising way to improve health data management and efficiency in Chin State. As you mentioned, investing in digital systems needs a lot of resources, so it’s very important to carefully consider the cost-effectiveness and funding stability.
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A comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is essential for maintaining organizational resilience, focusing on risk assessment, clear recovery objectives, and efficient backup strategies. Regular testing and staff training are critical to enhance readiness and minimize downtime during emergencies.
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Thank you for sharing your approach. It’s great to see how you balance flexibility and structure in project management. Using a customized chart to track tasks and progress is a smart way to stay organized and productive. Incorporating more steps from the 12-step process in the future is a good plan to improve even further. I will Incorporating its too.
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