The Outcomes of Using the Social Telecare Platform in Delivering Social Care Services to Vulnerable Patient Groups by Social Workers at Thammasat University Hospital

Abstract

This study examines the implementation and outcomes of the Social Telecare Platform in providing social care services to vulnerable patient groups at Thammasat University Hospital. The platform recorded data from 139 cases, with 53% male and 47% female patients; 93% were Thai nationals. The majority of patients were aged 11–20 years (36%), followed by those aged 61–70 years (32%). Most patients (78%) were covered under the Universal Health Coverage Scheme.

            Analysis revealed five major social problems: financial difficulties, employment challenges, health care management issues, caregiving burdens for elderly or disabled family members, and kinship relationship problems. Medical social workers utilized three additional tools within the platform: the Family Readiness Assessment (F.R.A.), the Mental Self-Care Assessment (M.S.C.A.), and the Social Diagnosis and Management Assessment (S.D.M.A.). These tools facilitated personalized interventions including counseling, psycho-social support, empowerment, and education.

            The Social Telecare Platform enhanced the systematic assessment and credibility of social diagnoses, enabling multidisciplinary teams to better address the complex interplay of patients' social issues. Furthermore, workshops and remote case conferences promoted understanding of platform usage in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

            The project highlighted opportunities for continuous data system integration and demonstrated the potential of Social Telecare to inform local and national health and social welfare policy development. Additionally, it fostered the advancement of personnel skills in applying technology to social problem assessment, serving as a model for innovative health and social care solutions in the digital era.