Publication: Attitude towards working in rural area and self-assessment of competencies in last year medical students: A survey of five countries in Asia
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Issued Date
2016
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Language
eng
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Medical Education. Vol. 16, (2016), 238
Suggested Citation
Wanicha L. Chuenkongkaew, Himanshu Negandhi, Pisake Lumbiganon, Wang, Weimin, Kawkab Mahmud, Pham Viet Cuong Attitude towards working in rural area and self-assessment of competencies in last year medical students: A survey of five countries in Asia. BMC Medical Education. Vol. 16, (2016), 238. doi:10.1186/s12909-016-0719-9 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/2680
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Title
Attitude towards working in rural area and self-assessment of competencies in last year medical students: A survey of five countries in Asia
Abstract
Background: Five countries in Asia including Bangladesh, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam formed a network
called Asia-Pacific Network for Health Professional Education Reforms (ANHER). This network collectively conducted
a survey at the national level and at the institutional level (for medical, nursing and public health education). We
also undertook an assessment of final year graduates from these schools on their attitudes, competencies and
willingness to work in rural areas.
Methods: Pretested anonymous questionnaire comprised of four sections including demographic data, attitudes
towards working in rural area, where to work after graduation and perception about competency of respondents
was used. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for data analyses.
Results: About 60 % of students from Bangladesh and Thailand had positive attitude towards working in rural area,
50 % in both China and India and only 33 % in Vietnam. Students’ positive attitudes towards their school in terms of
preparing or inspiring them to work in rural areas were low across all five countries. Upon graduation and in the next
five years, majority of students wanted to work in public sectors. Interestingly confidence about overall competency
was quite low.
Discussion: Positive attitude towards working in rural areas varied significantly across five countries in Asia. Medical
schools should improve the preparation and inspiration towards working in rural areas for their students.
Conclusion: Medical schools should put more effort in improving students’ attitude towards working in rural areas.