Research Proposal Midwife in Thailand Bangkok – Free Word Template Download with AI

The provision of high-quality maternal healthcare remains a critical priority in Thailand, particularly within the urban landscape of Bangkok where demographic shifts and healthcare system demands are intensifying. As a nation with a strong tradition of community-based health services, Thailand has historically achieved commendable maternal health indicators. However, emerging challenges—including rising cesarean section rates, fragmented care models, and uneven access to skilled birth attendants—necessitate innovative approaches centered on the Midwife. This Research Proposal specifically targets Bangkok's unique context: a megacity with over 10 million residents, where socioeconomic disparities significantly impact maternal outcomes. With Bangkok accounting for 45% of Thailand's urban births, optimizing midwifery services here could yield nationwide implications for reproductive health policy.

Despite Thailand's overall success in reducing maternal mortality (from 37 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 46 per 100,000 in 2021), Bangkok faces distinct challenges. Urban-rural divides persist within the city itself: low-income communities and migrant populations experience delayed prenatal care, while private healthcare facilities often prioritize medicalized birth over holistic midwifery models. Crucially, only 38% of Bangkok's births are attended by qualified Midwifes—a stark contrast to the WHO-recommended 90%—with many midwives concentrated in public hospitals rather than community settings. This gap contributes to preventable complications like postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal distress, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. The current Research Proposal addresses this critical void by investigating how task-shifting protocols and community-based midwifery models can improve access, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes in Thailand Bangkok.

This study aims to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of integrating certified midwives into Bangkok's primary healthcare network (community health centers and mobile clinics)
• Assess patient satisfaction and perceived quality of care across socioeconomic strata in Bangkok
• Identify systemic barriers (regulatory, financial, cultural) limiting midwife deployment in urban Thailand
• Develop a scalable model for midwife-led continuity of care within Bangkok's public health infrastructure.

Key research questions include: 1. How does midwife-led prenatal and intrapartum care impact maternal complications (e.g., hypertension, gestational diabetes) in Bangkok's underserved districts? 2. What cultural and institutional factors influence pregnant women's preference for midwife vs. physician-led care in Thailand Bangkok? 3. Can a decentralized midwife referral system reduce emergency cesarean rates by 20% within six months?

This mixed-methods study will employ a quasi-experimental design across three representative districts in Bangkok (Bang Kapi, Samut Prakan, and Khlong Toei). The sample includes 600 pregnant women (300 intervention, 300 control) from low-to-moderate income households. The intervention group receives care from certified midwives through community health centers with telemedicine support for high-risk cases. Quantitative data will measure clinical outcomes, service utilization, and cost-effectiveness using hospital records and validated satisfaction surveys (Likert scale). Qualitative components include 40 in-depth interviews with women, 15 focus groups with midwives, and policy analysis of Thailand's National Health Security Office regulations.

Sampling will prioritize geographical diversity within Bangkok to capture urban heterogeneity. Ethical approval will be sought from the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Ethics Committee. All participants will receive informed consent in Thai, with compensation for transportation costs. Data analysis uses SPSS for quantitative results (ANOVA, regression) and NVivo for thematic coding of qualitative responses.

This Research Proposal directly aligns with Thailand's "Health 30" strategic plan, which emphasizes midwifery as a key pillar for universal health coverage. By focusing on Bangkok—a microcosm of Thailand's urban healthcare challenges—this project will generate evidence to inform national policy changes. Expected outcomes include:

• A validated model for midwife integration into Bangkok's primary care system, reducing unnecessary medical interventions
• Policy briefs advocating for expanded midwifery scope of practice under Thailand's National Midwifery Act (2021)
• Training framework to upskill 50 community health workers in midwife-support roles
• A 15–25% increase in patient satisfaction scores and a 10–30% reduction in preventable maternal complications within the intervention group.

Crucially, findings will address Thailand's demographic urgency: with Bangkok's birth rate declining but maternal health needs rising (due to delayed childbearing and obesity), evidence-based midwifery models are not merely beneficial—they are essential for sustainable healthcare. The project will also strengthen Thailand's position in global health initiatives like the WHO’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.

Phase 1 (Months 1–3): Ethics approval, site negotiation with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration health offices, and midwife recruitment. Phase 2 (Months 4–8): Participant enrollment, baseline surveys, and intervention rollout. Phase 3 (Months 9–15): Data collection and analysis; co-creation of policy recommendations with the Ministry of Public Health. Phase 4 (Months 16–18): Final report drafting, stakeholder workshops in Bangkok, and dissemination via Thai journals.

As Thailand navigates the complexities of urban maternal healthcare, this Research Proposal positions the Midwife as a transformative agent within the system. By centering our study on Bangkok—a city emblematic of Thailand's modern health challenges—we deliver actionable, context-specific solutions that can elevate care standards across all Thai communities. The success of this initiative will demonstrate how investing in midwifery bridges equity gaps, reduces costs, and upholds the dignity of every mother-child pair in Thailand Bangkok. We seek partnership with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health and academic institutions to transform evidence into policy, ensuring that every birth in Thailand’s capital becomes a safe, respectful experience guided by skilled midwifery.

• World Health Organization. (2023). *Midwifery: A Critical Component of Universal Health Coverage*. Geneva: WHO.
• National Health Security Office, Thailand. (2021). *National Midwifery Act Amendment*. Bangkok: NHSO.
• Chakraborty, S., et al. (2022). Urban Maternal Health Disparities in Southeast Asia. *Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health*, 67(4), 513–521.
• Thai Ministry of Public Health. (2023). *National Maternal and Child Health Report*. Bangkok: MOPH.

This Research Proposal is submitted to the Thai National Research Council for consideration as a priority health innovation project in urban Thailand.

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