Influencing Factors for Students and Parents in Applying for Admission to the Bachelor of Medicine Program at Suranaree University of Technology
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Scientific and technological advances have rapidly transformed both society and the economy as well as the educational sector responsible for producing a quality workforce. The Thai workforce is currently challenged by relatively low rates of higher education. In response to physician shortages, especially in rural areas, Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) has established its medical program. However, recent data shows a concerning trend with medical student enrollment declining by 4.41% in 2020. This study aimed to survey prospective students and their parents about what they, as consumers of education, favored from the university’s Bachelor of Medicine program, while factors influencing their decision-making process were examined.
Methodology: This mixed-methods research was conducted during the admissions process of the 2021 academic year. Data was collected from 44 students who received admission rights to the Bachelor of Medicine program and 32 parents during a parents' meeting in October 2021. The research instruments were questionnaires for both students and parents, which were validated by three experts (IOC ≥ 0.60) and tested for reliability (Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient > 0.80). Data analysis employed descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation for quantitative data, while qualitative suggestions were analyzed using content analysis with successive approximation approach.
Main Results: Most students were female (77.3%). The majority were admitted through the portfolio round (65.9%) and selected SUT as their first-choice institution (75.0%). Regarding communication channels, parents preferred annual parent meetings (59.4%) and semesterly letters (68.8%). Information sessions about the medical program significantly increased parents' familiarity with and confidence in SUT's Institute of Medicine. For student decision-making, university image factors ranked highest, specifically technological prominence (73 points), knowledgeable faculty (73 points), available teaching equipment (68 points), and modern classrooms/laboratories (64 points). Parents prioritized proximity to home (84 points) followed by expert faculty (46 points) and teaching excellence (36 points). Both students and parents rated attitudes toward medical education, university image, and curriculum as highly influential factors, while personal reasons had minimal influence.
Discussions: The findings align with decision-making concepts featuring external factors (institutional information) and internal factors (attitudes, motivations) along with stages of recognizing needs and gathering information before deciding. Students and parents demonstrated awareness of their requirements, as evidenced by improved understanding scores after information sessions. Their priorities echo previous studies showing institutional readiness, career security, and teaching quality as key decision factors, while personal recommendations were less impactful. Unlike some international studies, having medical professionals as parents did not negatively influence motivation to study medicine in this Thai context.
Conclusions: Factors influencing the selection of the Bachelor of Medicine program at SUT include technological prominence, faculty expertise, modern facilities, professionally oriented curriculum with community outreach, and proximity to hometown. The university should develop curricula emphasizing professional training and community service while enhancing its technological strengths. Improved communication about these strengths and organized informational activities for high school students are recommended. Future research should explore in-depth motivational factors throughout students’ time of enrollment, factors affecting the selection of other health science fields, and comparisons between expectations and reality for medical students at SUT.
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