Needs in English Competency Development of Health Personnel
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Abstract
The purpose of this descriptive research was to study the needs and problems of English competency development of health personnel. The sample consisted of 217 health personnel working in 13 health regions. Data were collected before attending English training courses for practice. The research instruments consisted of a general information check list, and skills and needs for English competency development questionnaires. The statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, modified priority needs index (PNImodified), and content analysis. The results of the study showed that the sample assessed the authenticity of their overall English competency at a moderate level (=2.47, SD=.67), and the expectation of their English competency at a high level (
=3.77, SD=2.35). The PNImodified of the needs for English competency development was .52. Analyzing each aspect of the needs for English competency development, it was revealed that the health personnel needed to develop reading skill as the first priority (PNImodified .60) and listening skill as the last (PNImodified .40). Problems and obstacles in the development of English competency of health personnel included little practical use of English due to lack of opportunity, lack of self-confidence, and lack of opportunity for development. Therefore, health regions and the Ministry of Public Health should stipulate the development of English competency as the main policy for health workforce development. In addition, health service settings should continuously promote the development of English competency and the utilization by health personnel.
Article Details
บทความและรายงานวิจัยในวารสารพยาบาลกระทรวงสาธารณสุข เป็นความคิดเห็นของ ผู้เขียน มิใช่ของคณะผู้จัดทำ และมิใช่ความรับผิดชอบของสมาคมศิษย์เก่าพยาบาลกระทรวงสาธารณสุข ซึ่งสามารถนำไปอ้างอิงได้
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