Warin Chamrap Hospital collaborates with local pharmacies to expand telemedicine services
 
Warin Chamrap Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani collaborates with local pharmacies to initiate “Model 3 Plus” — allowing patients to access telemedicine services at pharmacies near their homes. 

On 24 July, Dr Athaporn Limpanyalers, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) visited Warinchamrab Hospital to observe the new model of healthcare services to improve patient access to medications and medical consultations.
Model 3 Plus is the initiative, developed from existing partnerships between hospitals and local pharmacies through models one to three.



Model I is led by hospitals, in which staff arrange medications for individual patients and send them to local pharmacies, where patients pick up the medicines.

Model II has hospitals purchasing the medicines and stocking them at pharmacies, cutting the medication delivery to save time. Patients can pick up the medicines at the pharmacies accordingly to the doctors’ perceptions.



Model III increases the involvement of pharmacies by having them purchase and stock medicines, and distribute them to patients based on the physicians’ prescriptions. Thirty pharmacies in Warin Chamrap district use this model.

Hospitals and pharmacies in Ubon Ratchathani have initiated the advanced model called "Model 3 Plus," which allows patients to access telemedicine services from the pharmacy.


The pharmacy provides dedicated spaces for patients to consult with doctors remotely. Not only can patients meet doctors and receive prescriptions at the pharmacy, but doctors also offer health advice to help reduce the use of medications.

“The Model 3 Plus operated by Warin Chamrap Hospital and its partnering pharmacies are at the forefront of providing advanced healthcare services, especially with the concept of delivering health services outside of hospitals to reduce overcrowding and improve access to care,” said Dr Athaporn



“This aligns with the NHSO's effort to expand healthcare services beyond hospitals and reach out to the public.”

Dr Piyawat Angkawanich, Director of Warin Chamrap Hospital, revealed that the Model 3 Plus has been adopted by two pharmacies, Mueang Thong and Ban Yaowarin Pharmacy, which provide space for telemedicine services.



Patients can schedule online appointments on any day of the week with the hospital's family medicine team without any additional charges.

After the consultation, the doctor will issue a prescription so that the patient can obtain medicines at the pharmacy.



“Telemedicine service allows doctors to have more time to inquire about the patient's condition and have longer conversations with them,” said Dr Piyawat.

“This enables doctors to recommend more than just medication, also valuable health knowledge that helps patients better take care of themselves.”

In 2023, Warin Chamrap Hospital provided services for patients to obtain medications at nearby pharmacies up to 8,416 times.



Dr Teerapong Kaewpamorn, Director of Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Public Health Office, said that his province has 67 registered pharmacies partnering with the NHSO.

Fourteen of those, located in three districts, offer consultation and medications for treating 16 common or minor symptoms as part of the NHSO’s program to improve people's access to medications.


They are part of the hospital-pharmacy network that involves three major hospitals in the province — such as Sanpasitprasong Hospital, Phra Sri Maha Pho Hospital, and Warin Chamrap Hospital — that join hands to reduce hospital overcrowding and waiting time by engaging pharmacies in the health system.