The role of healing and existence of folk healers in Pathum-Thani province to community health care

Abstract

This research was survey research and qualitative research. This study aims to explore and collect Thai folk medicine from tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge and study the role and existence of folk healers in PathumThani province. The samples were folk healers in Pathum Thani province that are listed in the databases of Pathum Thani provincial Public Health and the Division of Folk Medicine, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. There were 13 participants who treated patients for not less than 10 years. The tools used for collecting data were 2 parts: part 1 general information, part2 knowledge and experience of folk healer including herbal healer, traditional masseur, pediatrician and gynecologist of folk and other specialist folk healers.

The results showed that 12 folk healers still play a role in providing treatment in the community. The types of folk healers who still treat in the community consisted of herbal healers, traditional masseur, chiropractor, cataract healer, pediatrician and mor- pao. The patient were receiving treatment 15-100 persons per month. The existence of folk healers due to factors; service accessibility, medical expenses, effect of treatment and faith in doctor.