Professor Panjapaphaphon Bunprom
Lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences.
Thailand is entering a fully aging society, impacting the public health system, economy, and society on a wide scale. In particular, the rise in non-communicable diseases, long-term dependency, and continuously increasing healthcare costs highlight the need for a shift in healthcare approaches from a focus on treatment to a more proactive approach to health promotion and disease prevention. However, many elderly individuals still face limitations in accessing health information, using digital technology, and maintaining their own health. This results in unequal access to healthcare services and access to accurate information. These limitations pose a significant challenge to developing an effective and sustainable healthcare system in the future.
Digital health communication and promoting the health of the elderly.
Digital health communication refers to the process of using digital technology as a medium to disseminate, exchange, and transfer health information between healthcare organizations, medical personnel, and the public. This aims to support health decision-making and promote appropriate health behaviors. Currently, digital technology plays a significant role in elderly healthcare through various channels such as health applications, online platforms, telemedicine, wearable devices, and remote health monitoring systems. These technologies enable the elderly to access accurate, up-to-date, and continuous health information, promoting health behavior changes, monitoring illnesses, and managing chronic diseases more effectively. Furthermore, digital health communication enhances the health literacy of the elderly, allowing them to assess health information, choose medical services, and make appropriate decisions about their own healthcare. This is a crucial factor in reducing the risk of disease and long-term complications.
Lessons from abroad.
Many countries have concretely applied digital technology to support elderly healthcare. For example, the United Kingdom has developed a National Health Service (NHS) platform that allows citizens convenient online access to health information, doctor appointments, and symptom monitoring. Australia has developed My Health Record, an electronic health database that links patient information with healthcare providers. Japan, a highly aging society, has applied Internet of Things (IoT) technology and community-based elderly health monitoring systems to support long-term care and continuous health surveillance, reducing the need for hospital visits and lowering the national healthcare budget. These case studies demonstrate that digital health communication can be a crucial mechanism for developing effective preventative healthcare systems and ensuring continuity of public health care.
Applications in the context of Thailand.
For Thailand, developing a digital health communication system for the elderly can benefit in multiple dimensions. At the individual level, the elderly will have easier access to health information and medical services, enabling them to continuously monitor their health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases or complications. At the organizational and healthcare system level, digital technology can help reduce the workload of medical personnel, alleviate overcrowding in healthcare facilities, and improve the efficiency of healthcare resource management. At the policy level, digitally stored health data can be analyzed to identify public health trends, support policy planning, and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of public health measures. This approach also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, and Goal 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which emphasize the application of technology and innovation to improve the quality of life for citizens.
conclusion
Digital health communication is a crucial mechanism for driving the healthcare system towards sustainability, especially in the context of a rapidly aging society. Digital technology not only helps the elderly access health information and services efficiently but also promotes self-care, disease prevention, and continuous health management. Therefore, promoting and developing digital health communication systems for the elderly is a key strategy that should be concretely pursued to improve the quality of life for the elderly, reduce long-term healthcare costs, enhance the efficiency of the public health service system, and support the development of a strong and sustainable aging society in Thailand in the future.
