Supporting healthcare in rural communities in Thailand: An exploratory qualitative study to understand the role and current mental health practices of village health volunteers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Village health volunteers (VHVs) are the backbone of primary healthcare in many low-and-middle-income countries, including Thailand, where healthcare professionals are scarce. Previous studies looking at their role have been broader and lacked a specific mental health focus. In 2019, Thailand introduced a policy endorsing a recovery orientation in mental health care, however, the potential for VHVs to implement the approach remains underexplored. This study aims to: [1] describe VHVs' mental health practices, [2] explore stakeholders' perspectives on these practices, and [3] understand stakeholders' views on their potential to deliver recovery-oriented community care.

Method

This exploratory qualitative study involved nineteen semi-structured interviews conducte

SUBMITTER: Khanthavudh C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11949336 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature