ABSTRACT
The mounting burden of non-communicable disease (NCD) in lower-to-middle income countries (LMIC) was recognized two decades ago by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2012, the WHO reported that NCDs were responsible for 71% of total deaths in Thailand. Thus, the goal of our ongoing NIH D43 training grant is to increase the quantity and quality of NCD research in Thailand by producing nurse scientists with the capacity to design, implement, guide, and evaluate cutting-edge research projects. The three components of the program are 1) a long-term component to train 10 Thai postdoctoral scholars that includes one year of intensive mentored research training in the US and one year implementing a research project back in Thailand; 2) a short-term component that provides an opportunity for Thai scientists, teachers, administrators and policy makers to take classes in areas relevant to NCD; 3) a yearly two-day NCD workshop to be held in different regions of Thailand. To date, 8 long-term trainees have completed various stages of their training. Eleven short-term trainees have taken courses at the University of Michigan. Two NCD workshops have been held so far under the auspices of the grant with a third planned for 2018. The ability to participate in the in-depth activities provided by the grant have not only expanded knowledge around NCD's, but also has enabled US and Thai investigators to grow in the area of culturally informed research.
ABSTRACT
This paper describes factors affecting autonomous public organization (APO) policy agenda setting and policy formation through comparison of policy processes applied to one educational institute under the Ministry of Education and the other educational institute under the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand. This study employs mixed method including a qualitative approach through documentary research, in-depth interviews, and participant observation. Factors that facilitated the formulation of the APO policy were: (1) awareness of need; (2) clarity of strategies; (3) leadership, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, (4) clear organizational identity; (5) participatory approach to policy formulation, and (6) identification of a policy window. Factors that impeded the formulation of the APO policy were: (1) diverting political priorities; (2) ill-defined organizational identity; (3) fluctuating leadership direction, (4) inadequate participation of stakeholders; and (5) political instability. Although findings cannot be generalized, this case study does offer benchmarking for those in search of ways to enhance processes of policy formulation.
