Thailand’s Virtual Hospital: A Solution to Structural Healthcare Challenges

Abstract

Abstract

This study aims to study various available technologies to be used to solve Thailand’s structural healthcare challenges by means of the application of Thailand’s Virtual Hospital. Within this study, the researcher also proposes the application of Thailand’s Virtual Hospital Model.

From the literature review and in-depth interviews, it is found that Thailand’s structural healthcare challenges lie in the lack of efficiency and effectiveness of resources allocation, which can be reduced by the usage of applicable technologies. This study proposes that Thailand’s Virtual Hospital must be comprised of 3 main elements: namely, services provided on virtual platform; online synchronized database; and big-data driven management & add-on services. The model also suggests that the adoption of Thailand’s Virtual Hospital should be divided into 3 principal stages. The first stage deals with policy and data standards. The second stage should focus on e-services and relevant technologies. Lastly, the third stage brings in other partners and devices such as IoT wearable devices.

The success of the implementation of Thailand’s Virtual Hospital will require the changes in 3 main areas including infrastructure such as networking cloud and relevant laws, the redesign of working systems, and the readiness of people including digital literacy and trust between patients and healthcare workers.

Keywords: Virtual Hospital