Perspectives of Hill Tribe People and Healthcare Providers regarding Emergency Medical Conditions and Interfacility Transfer: A Qualitative Study in Rural Northern Thailand

Abstract

Interfacility transfers of patients in rural mountain areas have many issues that require further investigation; for example, lack of resources and the inability to provide appropriate treatments for a patient’s conditions are the reasons for interfacility transfer. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to explore the experience of hill tribe people (n = 16) and healthcare providers (n = 22) regarding emergency medical conditions and interfacility transfer in rural mountain areas of northern Thailand. Data were collectedfrom February to July 2019 via in-depth interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the content analysis procedure of Elo and Kyngäs was used for data analysis. The study’s trustworthiness was established using Lincoln and Guba’s criteria. The finding revealed four categories reflecting hill tribe people’s experience of emergency medical conditions and interfacility transfer: 1) perceived barriers to rapid access, 2) helping hands, 3) the polarity of interfacility transfer services, and 4) ways toward a bright future. The healthcare providers’ experience was divided into three categories consisting of 1) the district system of interfacility transfer, 2) making it work: the three sources of power, and 3) hope for better interfacility transfer. These findings may contribute to a better comprehension of the nurses and healthcare providers who actively provide interfacility transfer support for emergency medical conditions suitable for hill tribe populations and healthcare settings.