| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立暨南國際大學 === 東南亞學系 === 106 === Among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thailand has the most distinct medical and healthcare industry. Diseases exist, affecting people from all walks of life. Hence, there is a need for medication to save human civilization. Since the 1997 financial crisis, Thailand’s medical industry has become an emerging economic force internationally. As a result of globalization, there has been a significant improvement in medical utilization among new immigrants. However, past medical research in Thailand was mainly focused on medical tourism and Thai message. Medical studies about new immigrants only explored medical treatments received by Southeast Asian immigrants in Taiwan, and literature on the utilization of medical services by Taiwanese immigrants in Southeast Asia is quite limited. This study explores medical treatments in Taiwan received by Thai immigrants as well as other relevant factors obtained through qualitative interviews. Based on the data collected, it was found that:
1. Information acquisition affects utilization of medical services.
In the early stages of migration, new immigrants are normally accompanied by their Thai colleagues or neighbors when availing medical services in Thailand’s public hospitals. After gaining familiarity with their environment and building their own network, new immigrants would choose to avail medical services from private, reputable hospitals that are highly recommended.
2. Location considerations for medical services
Thailand’s public hospitals offer low-cost medical care. This is important to new immigrants who have only moved to Thailand recently and have little medical information and economic considerations. However, due to factors such as restrictions on the number of medical appointments, limitations covered by social insurance and discrimination, new immigrants are discouraged to set medical appointments.
3. Economic factors influencing utilization of medical services
The participants interviewed in this research took care of their own medication or sought medical attention from public hospitals during the early stages of migration when they were not yet familiar with the way of life in Thailand. However, when their economic status became more stable and they have assimilated into Thai society, the interviewees preferred to seek medical attention from private hospitals.
In conclusion, with global mobility immigration, Thailand’s medical utilization has been influenced by globalization. Along with local developmental strategies, localization of Thailand’s international medical and healthcare system is expected to prosper.
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