Between 16 and 18 February 2026, the Office of Academic Service at Khon Kaen University hosted the 10th iteration of its training programme titled “Medical Dispute Mediation” at the S.D. Avenue Hotel. The primary objective of the course was to develop knowledge, understanding, and skills for managing medical disputes through creative and peaceful mediation processes. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of healthcare personnel to communicate effectively, manage conflict situations, and sustainably reduce reliance on legal litigation.
The training was honoured by a panel of distinguished experts from various professional fields. The speakers included Mr. Nopporn Pothirungsiyakorn, former Vice President of the Supreme Court and Senior Judge in the Supreme Court; Associate Professor Pattarawut Wattanusapt, M.D., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University; Ms. Suchinan Horasit, an expert in dispute mediation; Ms. Orasa Narayanakhamin, an independent scholar and Secretary of the Public Health Peace Association; and Ms. Saranya Khumsawat, Senior Professional Human Resource Officer. All lecturers brought direct experience and high-level expertise in their respective fields, ensuring that the transfer of knowledge was profound and directly applicable to real-world problems within the context of the Thai public health system.
This 10th cohort comprised 37 participants, including executives, medical personnel, registered nurses, legal officers, and personnel responsible for legal affairs from both public and private hospitals nationwide. This diverse attendance reflects a growing interest and awareness regarding the importance of alternative justice processes within the public health sector.
Throughout the three-day intensive programme, participants developed their skills through both theoretical frameworks and practical exercises. Key activities included interactive learning via workshops and role-playing scenarios designed to simulate real-world medical dispute negotiations. Case studies covered critical situations such as patient fatalities where relatives threatened litigation, as well as handling complaints circulated on social media—a frequent issue that significantly impacts the reputation of healthcare organisations today. Furthermore, participants collaborated to design dispute mediation guidelines suitable for their specific hospital contexts, ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired could be concretely applied within their organisations.
The Office of Academic Service, Khon Kaen University, earnestly hopes that this curriculum will contribute to building a culture of peace within Thailand’s public health service system. The Office is confident that all graduates of the programme will be able to apply their knowledge to bridge understanding between service providers and recipients, thereby enabling the Thai public health system to progress while reducing conflict and fostering mutual trust.
