The Implementation of the Digital Government Policy at the Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 7, Khon Kaen

Abstract

In recent years, the government has implemented a policy to transition the public sector to a digital government. The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, has adopted this digital government policy in its operations. The present study aimed to explore the implementation of the digital government policy to improve the operations of the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 7 Khon Kaen. A qualitative research approach was employed, and data were collected through interviews with 13 key informants, including directors, deputy directors, heads of departments, and staff members. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 7 Khon Kaen developed guidelines for implementing the digital government policy in its operations in three main aspects. Specifically, the first aspect involved developing operational guidelines based on the digital government policy by adopting the policy from the central agency, namely the Department of Disease Control, and assigning the organizational development group to communicate plans and develop staff skills. Another entailed establishing support systems for the digital government policy through development of work systems and human resource management systems to facilitate the use of digital technology within the agency. The last one involved setting up monitoring and evaluation systems for the policy implementation through PMQA 4.0 tools, visits to various departments by the management, and monthly digital operations review meetings. By drawing on the findings, the agency should be urged to create a plan with specific digital operation indicators, enhance communication channels for the policy, and assess the needs of personnel to support the development of a truly digital organization.