Thailand faces a rapidly aging population alongside a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Mobile health clinics and telehealth services have emerged as key strategies to reach underserved elderly populations and maintain continuity of NCD care in remote or resource-limited settings. We conducted a narrative review of published literature, policy reports, and program descriptions on mobile health clinics and telehealth interventions in Thailand, In total, which 8 major mobile clinic or telehealth initiatives were identified.
Mobile health clinics have expanded primary care access for vulnerable elderly in both urban and rural areas. Numerous telehealth applications emerged (public and private); for example, smartphone apps like MorDee (“Good Doctor”) gained wide usage in Thailand. In an urban pilot “Dusit Telemedicine” model, integrating community clinics with a tertiary hospital, over 300 elderly patients received teleconsultations, reducing overcrowding. Mobile clinics and telehealth are complementary strategies for enhancing healthcare delivery to elderly Thais with NCDs.
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