Enhancing Thai General Practitioners' Critical Thinking Skills: An Educational Development Needs Assessment

Purpose. This study examined Thai general practitioners’ (GPs) actual and expected levels of critical thinking skills (CTS) and identified developmental priorities through an educational development needs assessment (EDNA) using the modified Priority Needs Index (PNImodified). Methodology. A descriptive survey was conducted with 346 Thai GPs selected through proportional stratified random sampling from five national training institutions. Data were collected using a dual-response questionnaire covering five CTS domains and analyzed using means, standard deviations, dependent-samples t-tests, and a PNImodified gap analysis. Findings. GPs rated their current CTS as moderate, while expected levels were very high. The greatest developmental need was synthesis of ideas, followed by analytical processing and evaluation of outcomes. These statistically significant gaps underscore an urgent need to enhance higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in GP training. Conclusions. The results confirm a considerable CTS gap, with synthesis as the highest priority. Addressing these deficits is essential to strengthening decision-making and holistic care in Thai primary healthcare. Implications for Research and Practice. The study provides evidence-based guidance for curriculum reform, continuing professional development, and workplace-based assessment. By integrating critical thinking competencies into training frameworks, Thai medical education can better prepare GPs to meet the demands of modern practice.