The Operation Model Development for Medical Cannabis Using of Public Hospitals in Sukhothai Province, Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to develop operation model for medical cannabis using of public hospitals in Sukhothai Province, Thailand that was divided into 3 phases. Phase 1 was a study of situations and problem finding in the operation of medical marijuana use in Public Hospitals in Sukhothai Province. Phase 2 is the development of a model for operating the medical cannabis use by in-depth interviews with hospital directors and medical marijuana operators. Phase 3 is a follow up on the results of the development of an operating model for medical marijuana use. Data was collected for a period of 6 months. The developing an operating model for the use of medical marijuana are 5 main dimension components, consisting of Policy, Management, Integration, Monitoring and Evaluation, Technology. The results was found that personnel providing services in the medical marijuana clinics include a variety of professions, such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, Thai Traditional Medicine officers and nurses with the number of personnel attending training to serve more patients who come to receive services in medical marijuana clinics both Western Medicine and Thai Traditional Medicine tend to increase every year. The top 5 diseases include : Insomnia, Cancer, Muscular Tendon diseases, Neuropathic pain, Psoriasis that used in the treatment of Thai Traditional Medicine to treat symptoms and diseases, consisting of Ya Suk Sai yad 500 mg./cap., Ya Tum Lai Pra Sumen 2 g./pack, 5 Hemp oil topical, Ya Kae Lom Kae Sen 500 mg. In addition, Western Medicine is used to treat patients, consisting of THC : CBD/ 1:1, 7% THC. However, patients had side effects, consisting of : dizziness, ALT and AST increase, nausea and vomiting, sleepy, anxious, eGFR decreases, feel dry, heart palpitation. Therefore the development of operations is systematic and efficient. Including patients receiving a combination of Thai Traditional Medicine and Western Medicine that work together as a multidisciplinary team to use cannabis as an alternative treatment for patients. Taking into account efficiency and safety together and continued monitoring of symptoms and side effects in the treatment of patients at the hospital and at the patient’s home.