Application of Buddhist Psychology in a Telemedicine System for Alcohol Use Disorder Care to Reduce Drinking Recidivism a Case Study of Thanyarak Khon Kaen Hospital

Abstract

This study aimed to: (1) examine personal factors and the conditions of alcohol consumption problems among alcohol use disorder patients who had previously received treatment; (2) investigate the application of Buddhist psychology within a telemedicine system for monitoring treatment and reducing drinking recidivism; and (3) develop guideline-based and mechanism-oriented recommendations for integrating Buddhist psychology with telemedicine to ensure sustainable care for alcohol use disorder patients. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative component was conducted among 10 alcohol use disorder patients who had completed inpatient treatment and were in the follow-up phase, selected through purposive sampling. The qualitative component involved 5 multidisciplinary professionals responsible for the care and follow-up of alcohol use disorder patients. Research instruments included a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guides, both of which were validated for content validity and reliability. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The findings revealed that: (1) overall personal factors and alcohol-related problem conditions among alcohol use disorder patients were at a high level, reflecting economic, social, and psychological vulnerabilities that contribute to the risk of drinking recidivism; (2) the integration of Buddhist psychology with a telemedicine system enhanced patients’ self-awareness, problem acceptance, self-regulation, and continuity of treatment follow-up, which played a significant role in reducing drinking recidivism; and (3) key sustainability enhancing mechanisms were identified, including causal awareness mechanisms, self-regulation empowerment mechanisms, continuity of care relationship mechanisms, structural barrier reduction mechanisms, and value- and culture-based integration mechanisms. The study recommends the systematic development of telemedicine-based care models that integrate Buddhist psychology to strengthen holistic care for alcohol use disorder patients and to support sustainable recovery within the Thai healthcare system.