ABSTRACT
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate the Standards of Healthcare Facility for Thai Female Inmates (SHF-TFI) through healthcare service improvement. Design/methodology/approach This research and quality improvement project was comprised of three phases. Surveying healthcare facilities and in-depth interviews with female inmates as well as prison nurses were employed in Phase I. Expert reviews and public hearing meetings were used for developing the SHF-TFI in Phase II. Satisfaction questionnaires, focus group interviews of the female inmates, and in-depth interviews with nurses and prison wardens were utilized to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of SHF-TFI implementation in Phase III. Findings The SHF-TFI was elaborated in order to be more specific to the context of the correctional institutes and correspond with healthcare as to the needs of female inmates. It was divided into three main aspects: administrative standards, health service standards and outcome standards. After implementation, nurses reflected on the feasibility and benefits of the SHF-TFI on the organizations, inmates and nurses. The female inmates perceived remarkable improvement in the healthcare services including physical activity promotion and screening programs for non-communicable diseases, the physical environment and sufficiency of medical equipment. Moreover, the pregnant inmates and incarcerated mothers with children shared their views on better antenatal and child developmental care, as well as availability of baby supplies. Originality/value The findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of the SHF-TFI for quality care improvement and applicability of the Bangkok Rules in women's correctional institutes.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Prisons/organization & administration , Quality of Health Care/organization & administration , Delivery of Health Care/standards , Diet , Environment , Exercise , Female , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Mass Screening/organization & administration , Patient Satisfaction , Pregnant Women , Prisons/standards , Quality Improvement/organization & administration , Quality of Health Care/standards , Referral and Consultation/organization & administration , ThailandABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: In this paper, we assess the state of scientific study of cancer among Thais, one of the most underserved AAPI populations. METHODS: We reviewed published literature and a database of Federally-funded research in the United States. RESULTS: We found virtually no cancer-related research on the Thai population in the U.S. A review of the international literature, including studies conducted in Thailand, shows that Thais are at significant risk for developing lung, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Given the sizable Thai population in the U.S. and the high likelihood that this population has been suffering from cancer, we recommend that Thais be classified separately in cancer registries and that they receive culturally meaningful outreach and support.
