Knowledge, Attitude and Plactices for Internationalization of Staff in a Medical School of Thailand.

Abstract

This research aims to 1) learn about the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the personnel of one faculty of medicine in Thailand regarding internationalization 2) to compare the fundamental factors regarding knowledge, attitude, and practices involving internationalization, and 3) to suggest development methods towards internationalization for the Faculty of Medicine.  The research tool is a questionnaire, and the sample size for this study is 391 personnel of one faculty of medicine. The statistical analysis is performed in terms of frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and ANOVA. The results are as follows:

(1) The knowledge of internationalization of personnel and knowledge of internationalization of Mahidol University is at a good level while internationalization of the Faculty of Medicine is at a moderate level. (2) The personnel’s attitude towards internationalization and the internationalization of the Faculty of Medicine is at the highest level and the attitude of internationalization at the unit level is low. (3) The overall practice of internationalization at the faculty level is good but the practice of internationalization of personnel and units is low. (4) Differences in the personnel’s fundamental factors, i.e., gender, age, marital status, and work experience do not affect differences in their knowledge, attitude, and practice. (5) Differences in the personnel’s fundamental factors, i.e., education affected differences in their knowledge, attitude, and practice, but occupation affected differences in their attitude and practice. In conclusion, the personnel’s knowledge at this faculty of medicine is at a moderate level. The attitude of personnel is at the highest level whereas the practice of internationalization of personnel was low. It can be suggested that the communication and implementation of the knowledge and practice of internationalization should be promoted to improve all personnel at all levels. The Faculty of Medicine should have more English activities in routine practice to help achieve internationalization of the Faculty of Medicine and the university.