Twenty-five-year evolution of family medicine residency training program in Thailand: A qualitative study
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Abstract
Introduction: Family medicine residency training program in Thailand was established since 1998. It has already been two decades that the program was developing from small number of trainees and training institutes to the current expansion of this postgraduate education across the country. This qualitative study aims to identify phenomenon of the curriculum development of family medicine residency training program in Thailand from its inception to the present.
Method: Qualitative research was conducted using in-depth, focus group interview, and online semi-structured questionnaire in 31 participants who have lifeworld in family medicine. Using Kern’s curriculum development model to review the evolution. The Kern’s model composes of 6 steps including1) problem identification and general needs assessment, 2) needs assessment of targeted learner, 3) goals and specific objectives, 4) educational strategies, 5) implementation, 6) evaluation and feedback. The qualitative data were collected and analyzed by content analysis, and describe in narrative.
Result: The 25-year evolution of family medicine residency training program in Thailand was divided into 3 eras: 1) foundation, 2) expansion, and 3) accreditation. Era I (1998 - 2008) is defined on program initiation and fast growth in number of family medicine trainees. Era II (2009 - 2018) is a period of raising number of training institutes and training potentials. Era III (2019 - present) is the era with Implement World Federation of Medical Education criteria for quality assurance. The main factors that influenced on evolution of curriculum development were health system reform policies, basic health needs of population, global trends in medical education, educational quality assurance system, and continuity of faculty development. The obstacles of development were inadequate need assessment of target learners, ambiguous professional identity in public, and inadequate training support system.
Conclusion: To achieve the best potential in the production of family physician, training goals and specific objectives should be set based on the need of target learners yet link it to the need of society, adequate support system and training capacity in Thailand’s health system.
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