Benchmarking to Improve Quality of Nursing Education among Nursing Colleges Under the Jurisdiction of Praboromarajchanok Institute, the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand

Friday, 17 July 2009: 9:10 AM

Ubolratana Popattanachai
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, Boromarajonani College of Nursing Suratthani, Maung Surattha, Thailand

Learning Objective 1: learn the benchmarking process to achieve best practice of nursing education in Thailand

Learning Objective 2: learn best practice guideline of nursing education which can be apply to their institute

Purpose: This study aimed to examine and propose best practices to improve the quality of education among nursing colleges under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand by benchmarking.

Methods: Data were collected through self-rating of subjects and interviewing with the college directors. Subjects were 23 directors and 230 vice–directors and heads of divisions from 23 nursing colleges.  By employing Baldrige National Quality Program (BNQP), the best practices were established through the benchmarking of 1) analyzing good practices of nursing colleges ranked in the top three of each component from 6 components (excluding organizational performance results), 2) establishing best practice guidelines and scrutinizing the guidelines at the directors’ meeting, and 3) modifying the guidelines based on the comments. Results: In each of six components, only nine colleges were ranked in the top three of best practices. By applying BNQP’s best practice guidelines for benchmarking, nursing colleges showed best practices in component 2 and 6: strategic planning and process management. In order to improve quality of education, nursing colleges should improve the best practice guidelines of component 1: leadership, 3: student, stakeholder, and market focus, 4: measurement, analysis, and knowledge management, and 5: faculty and staff focus.

Conclusion: Conclusions: Nursing colleges should apply the best practices of best practice colleges by adjusting those practices appropriately with their available resources and contexts.