Cultural Adaptation and Implementation Strategy of a Recovery‐Oriented Mental Health Training Intervention (REFOCUS‐THAIREC) for Healthcare Workers in Thailand: An Experience‐Based Co‐Design
Natthapon Inta, Annmarie Grealish, Mary Leamy
“This study aimed to culturally adapt an existing mental health recovery training intervention (REFOCUS/REFOCUS-PULSAR) for healthcare workers in Thailand, where no such training previously existed. Using Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD), researchers collaborated with 31 participants—including healthcare professionals, individuals with mental illness, and carers—to shape the new REFOCUS-THAIREC program.
The most compelling results include the creation of localized tools, such as a catalyst film showcasing local patient experiences and a recovery-oriented language guide to make unfamiliar recovery concepts culturally relevant. To ensure successful implementation, the study highlights critical strategies like experiential learning and separate training streams tailored for professional and non-professional groups, ultimately providing a practical blueprint for launching recovery-oriented community mental health practices across Thailand.”




