Development of a Workshop Training Model for Community Mental Health Communication Competency of Village Health Volunteers in Non Khong Subdistrict, Ban Fang District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

        This action research study aimed to (1) examine the level of communication competency among Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) in Non Khong Subdistrict, Ban Phang District, Khon Kaen Province; (2) develop a practical training curriculum to enhance VHVs' communication competency in this area; and (3) evaluate the outcomes of the implemented training program. The target population consisted of 86 purposively selected VHVs from Non Khong Subdistrict. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via Google Forms, covering three dimensions of communication competency: knowledge of communication processes, communication psychology skills, and health promotion. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and percentages. The study was conducted in three phases: an initial competency assessment, curriculum development and quality validation by three experts, and implementation of the training program with pre–post test evaluation and participant satisfaction assessment. The results revealed that, prior to training, VHVs' competency in communication process knowledge and communication psychology skills was at a fair level, while health promotion competency was at a good level, attributable to its being a routine task already familiar to participants. The developed training curriculum was rated by the expert panel as having appropriateness and feasibility for implementation ranging from fair to excellent across all dimensions. Following the training, VHVs demonstrated improved communication competency in all dimensions, reaching an excellent level, with the highest percentage increases observed in communication process knowledge, communication psychology skills, and health promotion. Participant satisfaction with the training was no less than 80% across all dimensions. These findings indicate that the developed training curriculum effectively enhanced VHVs' community mental health communication competency and holds potential for application in other areas with similar contexts.