Needs of using English skills in the workplace of novice medical doctors at a public hospital in Surin Province

This research aimed to assess the perceived needs of English language skills among novice medical doctors, with a specific focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the workplace. The study involved 43 participants who were novice medical doctors from a public hospital in Surin province. Through the use of questionnaires and interviews, the researcher collected subjective perspectives and insights from the participants regarding their English language needs. The results indicated that the participants possessed a fair level of English proficiency, with reading skills perceived as the most proficient among the four language skills. In terms of necessity, the findings revealed that reading was the most necessary skill for novice medical doctors, indicating a high level of necessity for comprehending medical literature, research papers, patient records, and other relevant documents in the medical field. This was followed closely by speaking skills, indicating the importance of effective communication in the medical field. Listening skills ranked third in terms of necessity, highlighting the significance of understanding patient symptoms and requests. Writing skills were considered moderately to highly necessary, particularly in tasks such as patient referral letters and medical reports. The findings have practical implications for medical education programs and curricula, suggesting the integration of language training to equip future medical professionals with the necessary skills to effectively communicate and provide quality healthcare services. This study contributes to the broader discussion on language proficiency in the medical field. It provides valuable insights that can inform educational strategies, curricular enhancements, and training programs tailored to meet the language demands of the healthcare workplace.