Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
In Thailand, family medicine training is one of the newest specialties. It was established in 1999 with less popularity. Since 2001, the Department of Family Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital has offered a Family Medicine residency training program that complies to the standard curriculum of the Royal College of Family Medicine, Medical Council of Thailand. However, our curriculum is unique in that it combines horizontal family medicine training program with other specialty block rotations for the entire three years, whereas most institutions only provide Family Medicine as a block rotation. Therefore, our program is famous for being the strongest academic family medicine training program in Thailand. We are in the top tier of Family Medicine Resident programs and attract highest residency applications annually.
Since its founding, the department has been responsible for education, research, and the preservation of arts and culture.
Education
The department offers medical professions education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Medical students obtain a variety of family medicine experiences all through their clinical years, including working with families with chronic illnesses, palliative care, care for the elderly, sexual medicine, and occupational medicine. Throughout the year, we also offer elective rotations for medical students who wish to gain more experience in family practice.
Patient care
As the philosophy of family practice as a provider of primary care. The department serves as the initial point of contact for patients presenting with non-specific or general medical conditions. We also provide continuing care for patients with non-complicated chronic conditions. In addition, we provide specialized clinics for patients with specific needs, such as a comprehensive geriatric assessment clinic, a palliative care clinic, a brief intervention clinic, and a sexual health clinic. Furthermore, we offer home visits to patients under the care of community health clinics residing in metropolitan Bangkok.
Research
Research has been conducted in the fields of primary care, family practice, palliative care, and geriatric care. As well available are health service and action research.
Preserving Thailand's artistic and cultural
In addition, we participate in annual activities organized by the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, to promote and preserve good Thai traditions, such as the Wai Kru ceremony and retirement ceremony. Numerous celebrations, including Songkran Day, Loy Krathong Day, etc., feature traditional activities.
