Research News

Walailak University is advancing the “the Walailak Health Model Program: Revitalizing Quality of Life and Promoting Sustainable Well-being in Communities Surrounding the University.” through proactive community outreach services for homebound patients, bedridden patients, and individuals at risk of mental health problems living in neighboring communities. The program integrates the expertise of faculty members from multiple academic schools, staff from the Center for Academic Services, physical therapists, personnel from Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals, and Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) to provide holistic healthcare services while sustainably improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
The initiative is led by Asst. Prof. Jirapat Nawarat, a lecturer in the Physical Therapy Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, and Asst. Prof. Piriya Chonsut, a lecturer in the Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Program, School of Medicine. Together with physical therapists and Village Health Volunteers from the Satit Walailak Pattana Community Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, the team conducts home visits to monitor patients’ conditions, assess physical functioning, and provide individualized rehabilitation guidance for homebound and bedridden patients. These efforts aim to promote recovery and improve patients’ long-term quality of life. The rehabilitation program integrates modern physical therapy with Applied Thai Traditional Medicine techniques, combining the expertise of specialists from both disciplines to help relieve pain, stimulate blood circulation, restore physical mobility, and enhance patients’ overall physical well-being.
 
The project also places strong emphasis on mental health promotion. Asst. Prof. Onggan Ranteh, a lecturer from the School of Public Health, together with healthcare personnel and Village Health Volunteers from Ban Ton Liap Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, provides basic health screenings, vital sign assessments, and health consultations for community members. In addition, the team offers psychosocial support to both patients and their caregivers through stress management guidance, emotional support, and family empowerment, enabling caregivers to provide appropriate and effective care at home.

Beyond delivering comprehensive physical and mental healthcare services, the program also serves as a practical learning platform for students. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charlee Kaewrat, a lecturer in the Digital Medical Technology Program, School of Informatics, leads students from the Medical Informatics Innovation Program in studying real-world healthcare challenges faced by community patients. The experience enables students to apply their knowledge toward developing the Smart Care Stroke Rehabilitation innovation, ensuring that the technology responds to patients' actual needs and can be effectively implemented in practice.
 
The Walailak Health Model Program demonstrates Walailak University's commitment to integrating academic knowledge, research, and innovation with collaborative partnerships in the healthcare sector to develop a proactive healthcare service system that is accessible to local communities. The project contributes to improving the quality of life of people living around the university while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The initiative also aligns with the University's WU HAPPY TREE framework and its commitment to advancing sustainability at the international level.

News by Mr. Kittipong Bunlear, The Center for Academic Services, Walailak University