Thai village health volunteers’ employment of self-directed learning and collective power in time of pandemic

Abstract

The article examines how Thai village health volunteers employed self-directed learning and collective power to overcome working challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative data was collected from 30 VHVs in ten communities across Thailand. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were employed as the data collection techniques. The findings indicate that the VHVs took initiatives to learn unfamiliar technologies which became important working tools in the context of the pandemic. While such initiatives highlight their independent learning attributes involving individuality or “self” learning concepts, the way they incorporated a collaborative learning method, reflects “selves” learning practices. The VHVs also utilized collective power both in-group and inter-group power to through different networking systems. This study illustrates the possible intertwinement of collectivistic and individualistic values found in the process of self and selves-directed learning practices, and the implication of collective power as a cultural force in the field of community health promotion.