• Login
    View Item 
    •   EI Resource Hub
    • 4. EI Fellow Publications and Resources
    • 2016 fellows
    • Nicola Suyin Pocock
    • View Item
    •   EI Resource Hub
    • 4. EI Fellow Publications and Resources
    • 2016 fellows
    • Nicola Suyin Pocock
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of EI Resource HubCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateBy Submit DateResource TypesAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateBy Submit DateResource TypesAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    Strengthening the migrant-friendliness of Thai health services through interpretation and cultural mediation: a system analysis

    Kosiyaporn, Hathairat
    Julchoo, Sataporn
    Phaiyarom, Mathudara
    Sinam, Pigunkaew
    Kunpeuk, Watinee
    Pudpong, Nareerut
    Allotey, Pascale
    Chan, Zhie X
    Loganathan, Tharani
    Pocock, Nicola Suyin
    Suphanchaimat, Rapeepong
    2020-12-08

    Background: In addition to healthcare entitlements, ‘migrant-friendly health services’ in Thailand include interpretation and cultural mediation services which aim to reduce language and cultural barriers between health personnel and migrants. Although the Thai Government started implementing these services in 2003, challenges in providing them still remain. This study aims to analyse the health system functions which support the interpretation and cultural mediation services of migrant health worker (MHW) and migrant health volunteer (MHV) programmes in Thailand. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted in two migrant-populated provinces using purposive and snowball sampling. A total of fifty key informants were recruited, including MHWs, MHVs, health professionals, non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff and policy stakeholders. Data were triangulated using information from policy documents. The deductive thematic analysis was classified into three main themes of evolving structure of MHW and MHV programmes, roles and responsibilities of MHWs and MHVs, and supporting systems. Results: The introduction of the MHW and MHV programmes was one of the most prominent steps taken to improve the migrant-friendliness of Thai health services. MHWs mainly served as interpreters in public facilities, while MHVs served as cultural mediators in migrant communities. Operational challenges in providing services included insufficient budgets for employment and training, diverse training curricula, and lack of legal provisions to sustain the MHW and MHV programmes. Conclusion: Interpretation and cultural mediation services are hugely beneficial in addressing the health needs of migrants. To ensure the sustainability of current service provision, clear policy regulation and standardised training courses should be in place, alongside adequate and sustainable financial support from central government, NGOs, employers and migrant workers themselves. Moreover, regular monitoring and evaluation of the quality of services are recommended. Finally, a lead agency should be mandated to collaborate with stakeholders in planning the overall structure and resource allocation for the programmes.

    Migrant health worker
    Migrant health volunteer
    Interpreter
    Cultural mediator
    Thailand
    Research paper
    Text
    application/pdf
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0).
    Open access
    Copyright (c) 2020 Kosiyaporn, H., Julchoo, S., Phaiyarom, M. et al.
    https://resources.equityinitiative.org/handle/ei/616
    Show full item record
    Strengthening the migrant friendliness of Thai health services through interpretation and cultural mediation a system analysis.pdf

    This item appears in the following Collection(s)

    Collections
    • Nicola Suyin Pocock [9]
    • Rapeepong Suphanchaimat [17]
    • Tharani Loganathan [8]

    DISCOVER

    WHO WE ARE

    WHAT WE DO

    HOW TO APPLY

    COMMUNITY

    OUR FELLOWS

    OUR NEWS

    HOW TO JOIN

    CONTACT US

    BANGKOK

    CMB USA

    © The Equity Initiative is a program of CMB Foundation. Copyright 2016 All rights reserved.

    ‹›×