POLICIES AND CURENT STATUS OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE DOCTOR TRAINING IN VIET NAM

Abstract

This study aims to describe key policies and the current status of preventive medicine doctors training in Vietnam. A document synthesis method (descriptive literature review) was employed. The findings indicate that, in terms of policy, regulations on standardized training programs and a national higher education framework for preventive medicine have been issued; however, Decree No. 99/2019/NĐ-CP has not yet specified the professional degree for preventive medicine doctors. Regarding current training practices, numerous challenges remain, including insufficient legal frameworks, limited human resources, inadequate facilities, and lack of appropriate incentive policies. Vietnam currently has ten institutions providing preventive medicine training programs, with curricula ranging from 180 to 225 credits. Training programs have not been regularly updated, and both faculty qualifications and practical training conditions remain insufficient to meet professional requirements. The study highlights the necessity of establishing a unified national curriculum standard, updating degree regulations, and improving the overall quality of preventive medicine doctors training in Vietnam.