Physicians for Society in the New Century: Desired Competencies of Medical Graduates for Thailand’s Health System
Keywords:
Socially Accountable Physicians, Medical Graduate Competencies, Primary Health Care, Holistic Health CareAbstract
The transformation of Thailand’s health system in the 21st century—driven by population aging, the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, health inequities, and reforms in primary health care and health decentralization—has necessitated a shift in the role of medical graduates from individual clinical care toward becoming physicians for society who can effectively operate at both system and community levels. This study aimed to explore the desired competencies of medical graduates for driving Thailand’s future health system and to synthesize policy implications for medical workforce development. This qualitative study employed in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with diverse stakeholders, including university administrators, medical education experts, faculty members and students in health science disciplines, future learners, employers of medical graduates, health policy makers, local government organizations, healthcare providers across all service levels, professional organizations, and civil society representatives. Data were analyzed using content analysis and thematic analysis. The findings identified six core domains of desired competencies for medical graduates: (1) understanding of the health system and the role of family medicine; (2) strong biomedical foundations and holistic clinical care; (3) systems thinking in public health and health promotion; (4) humanistic values, ethics, and social responsibility; (5) competencies in integrative medicine; and (6) competencies in digital health, innovation, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning. These integrated competencies encompass clinical, health system, social, and technological dimensions. The findings provide empirical evidence to inform competency-based medical education, curriculum development, and health workforce policy to strengthen and sustain Thailand’s health system in the future.References
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