The 21st Century Skills and Organizational Learning affecting Interprofessional Team Performance in Pharmaceutical and Community Health Consumer Protection Services: Evidence from Public Health Personnel Working in Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This analytical cross-sectional research design aimed to examine the 21^st century skills and characteristics of a learning organization that influence the competencies of public health personnel in performing consumer protection tasks related to pharmaceuticals and community health in subdistrict health-promoting hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Samples comprised 107 participants selected through simple random sampling. Research instruments included questionnaires on 21^st century skills, learning organization, and competencies in consumer protection related to pharmaceuticals and community health. Findings revealed that both 21^st century skills and learning organization characteristics were at a high level (=4.00, SD=0.42; =3.98, SD=0.54). Competencies in consumer protection were also at a high level (=3.93, SD=0.47). Variables that jointly predicted consumer protection competencies included: 21^st century skills in collaboration, teamwork, and leadership (B=0.132, p=0.170); 21^st century skills in analytical thinking and critical problem-solving (B=0.312, p<0.001); the learning organization component of mental models (B=0.155, p=0.013); and 21st-century skills in computer, information, and communication technology (B=0.176, p=0.022). Together, these variables explained 51% of the variance (R²=0.510). The results confirm that multiple dimensions of 21^st century skills, in conjunction with elements of a learning organization, play a crucial role in shaping the competencies of public health personnel in performing consumer protection functions. These findings highlight the necessity of developing knowledge and skills that align with the operational context of primary healthcare services.