The community study model development for first year medical students of the collaborative project to increase production of rural doctor (CPIRD) / Salintip Suwan
The health futures study was desirable scenario (a vision) of the factors that determining how to provide the equity in health service system for all the people in Thailand. How to function the health system to achieve the goal change the Medical Education to make the students more early exposure to community oriented. The purpose of this study was to develop an effective “COMMUNITY STUDY MODEL” for first year medical students. Included is a study manual from the “collaborative project”, its purpose is to increase production of rural doctors. This model will enhance the learning process for the medical students. This aims to make first year medical students satisfied with the “COMMUNTTY STUDY MODEL” using self-study manual guideline. Also to develop a positive attitude in first year medical students about working in a rural area and live longer in term of happy life. The subjects were 24 first year Medical students of Faculty of Medicine in Naresuan University who participate in the Collaborative Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctors. Methodologies used include brainstorming, study define and analyze community medicine curriculum, review literature, theory and SWOT analysis of the old community study model related to “the Collaborative Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctor” (CPIRD) and develop self-study manual for community study. The questionnaire was created for Collecting Data (pre-test and post-test) with the target group. Two weeks of implementation for the community study model for first year medical students with the self-study manual was conducted. There was satisfactory interaction between 24 first year medical students with self-study manual and the local peoples in Paikham Sub district, Sawang Arrom District, Uthaithani Province community. OCPIRD conducted four monitoring reviews with the students and people in charge during the implementation period. It was found that the satisfaction with the community self study manual of 16.7 per cent and 75 cent of the students were at high level and moderate level respectively before participation in the project. The number of students satisfied with the manual at high level increase 20.8 per cent after participation. The statistical comparative analysis shows significant increase in satisfaction level of the students with the manual at completion of the project. The attitudes towards rural community of the majority of the subject (83.3 per cent) were at fairly good and good level and according to the comparative analysis, there is insignificant change in their attitudes towards rural community after participation. However, the attitudes towards working in rural area was at good level and improved significantly, 63.29 per cent before participation compared to 66.25 per cent after participation. Overall outcome of this project has been highly satisfied and successful. Although the real community experience of the students can not be measured into absolute magnitudes, it is believed that this community study model of the first year medical student is useful and suitable for basic knowledge of students, that can be integrated into medical science knowledge during their study. This early community exposure will improve potential of doctor graduates in the future.
