Nurse practitioners’ competencies for occupational health services in primary care units, Thailand: a qualitative study

This exploratory study examined nurses' competencies in delivering occupational health services in Primary Care Units. A qualitative design was used, incorporating in-depth interviews and focus group discussions for data collection. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with administrators from provincial government organizations. Three focus groups were held with 10 participants each: nurse practitioners, nurse practitioner colleagues, and agricultural workers. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 14, guided by the Thai Primary Care Unit Nurses' competency framework. The analysis identified three major themes and 16 subthemes, aligned with four domains: interpersonal relationships, care management, integrated healthcare services, and professional accountability. Findings emphasize essential competencies required of Primary Care Units' nurse practitioners to deliver effective services, particularly for agricultural workers exposed to pesticides. These competencies provide a basis for developing educational curricula and training programs to strengthen occupational health competencies among nurse practitioners. Public health administrators can use these findings to inform strategic improvement plans and better prepare community nurses to deliver comprehensive occupational health services in primary care settings. Further research should focus on designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that enhance community nurses' competencies and improve occupational health outcomes in Primary Care Units.