Cultural Adaptation and Implementation Strategy of a Recovery‐Oriented Mental Health Training Intervention (REFOCUS‐THAIREC) for Healthcare Workers in Thailand: An Experience‐Based Co‐Design
Natthapon Inta, Annmarie Grealish, Mary LeamyABSTRACT
Background
Healthcare workers are key in supporting mental health recovery, though the approach is poorly understood in many Asian countries. In Thailand, no recovery‐oriented training currently exists, highlighting the need for a culturally adapted intervention that incorporates locally meaningful concepts and clarifies unfamiliar recovery principles. The present study aimed to culturally adapt an existing recovery training intervention (REFOCUS/REFOCUS‐PULSAR) for use by healthcare workers in Thailand (REFOCUS‐THAIREC).
Methods
Experience‐Based Co‐Design (EBCD) was used to culturally adapt content and implementation strategies of the REFOCUS/REFOCUS‐PULSAR interventions, guided by the ADAPT framework and the Model for Adaptation Design and Impact. Thirty‐one participants were involved one or more of the EBCD stages, including healthcare professionals (HCPs), people with mental illness (PwM), and carers.
Results
Four key adaptations were identified: a catalyst film illustrating service user experiences, a recovery‐oriented care planning component, two case studies illustrating recovery journeys, and a recovery‐oriented language guide. Six implementation strategies were proposed, including experiential learning, digital delivery options, preparation for lived experience trainers, separate training streams for professional and non‐professional groups, practical care planning tools and the use of recovery outcome measures.
Conclusion
REFOCUS‐THAIREC provides a culturally relevant training approach for Thai healthcare workers and a foundation for implementing recovery‐oriented practice in community mental health services.
Patient or Public Contribution
Mental health service users, carers and HCPs were involved as partners in the co‐design process and reviewed research materials, including the Thai Global INSPIRE questionnaire, interview topic guide and training manua.