Twenty-First Century Skills and Essential Attributes of Personnel in Learning Organizations Affecting the Consumer Protection Competency of Pharmacists in Community Hospitals within Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Objectives: To examine twenty-first century skills and the essential attributes of personnel in learning organizations (EAPLO) that influence the consumer protection competency of pharmacists working in community hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Methods: The study subjects consisted of 120 pharmacists in community hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a mailed questionnaire assessing twenty-first century skills, EAPLO, and consumer protection competency. Measurement of the three constructs was adapted from the frameworks or instruments proposed by Trilling and Fadel, Senge, and Wanna Chueathammacharn. Results: The overall mean scores of twenty-first century skills and EAPLO were 3.80 ± 0.44 and 3.54 ± 0.60, respectively (out of 5). The mean score for consumer protection competency was 3.40 ± 0.60 (out of 5). Predictors of consumer protection performance competency included the EAPLO domains of mental model (β = 0.49, P < 0.001) and systems thinking (β = 0.29, P = 0.006), as well as the twenty-first century skills domains of computer, information, and communication technology skills (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) and critical thinking and problem-solving skills (β = 0.22, P = 0.003). Together, these variables explained 63.4% of the variance in consumer protection performance competency. Conclusions: Information technology skills, analytical thinking skills, and systems thinking are key factors influencing the quality of pharmacists’ consumer protection work in community hospitals. Strengthening pharmacists’ digital skills, critical thinking, and systems thinking, alongside fostering a learning organization culture, represents a crucial strategy for enhancing performance competency and improving long-term consumer safety outcomes.