Day 2: 15:35 – 15:50
Raising clinical research awareness as early as at medical school:“Is it necessary? Is it the time?” - Mahidol University efforts, thoughts and opinion-

Apichat Asavamongkolkul, M.D, PhD(Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj
Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand )Short CV
Dr. Apichat Asavamongkolkul is now the Professor and Dean of Faculty of Medicine
Siriraj Hospital (2022 – present), Deputy Dean in administration at Faculty of Medicine
Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University (December 2014-present). He graduated his Doctorof Medicine from Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital in 1987. He was one of thefounders of Siriraj Musculoskeletal Tumor Board which the first multidisciplinary
meeting begun in 1996 after finishing his fellowship in musculoskeletal oncology from
University of California, Los Angeles.
He was a pioneer in musculoskeltal oncology field of Thailand who brought thetechniques of limb salvage surgery to help patients with bone and soft-tissue tumor.
Many clinical studies involving clinical outcomes in each reconstruction such as
autogenous bone graft, allograft or tumor prosthesis were published. His clinical studies
attract young orthopaedic surgeons who would like to be an orthopaedic oncologist.
Furthermore, he has more than 40 English and 15 textbook chapter publications
regarding tumor biology, tumor surgery and tumor reconstruction. His recent textbook“Bone and Soft-tissue Tumors” has been awarded as “The Excellent Textbook in 2014”
from Faculty Medicine Siriraj Hospital and also from Mahidol University. Faculty ofMedicine Siriraj Hospital presents “Siriraj Honor Award” to Dr.Apichat in 2014 and2016.

Abstract
Clinical research professionals are responsible for medical advancements that improve patient careand quality of life. The global market value of clinical trials was placed at 47.5-83.5 billion US
dollars by 2030, with a 5.4-5.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2020 and 2030.
The global clinical staff market value was placed at 7.04 billion US dollars in 2022, with a 7.5-8.0%
CAGR between 2020 and 2026. The demand for novel, innovative research exceeds the supply ofcompetent clinical researchers worldwide due to decreasing accrual rates, high turnover rates, and apaucity of young investigators. This is further exacerbated in Thailand by limited clinical training and
an inability of academia to compete with industries or contract research organizations in attracting
and retaining clinical research professionals. Robust regulatory environments, investments towards
educational training programs, competitive compensation, funding, and collaborative efforts withgovernment and private clinical research stakeholders are necessary to acquire clinical researchprofessionals and encourage medical staff – particularly nurses, pharmacists, and technicians – topursue clinical research tracks. The Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research (SICRES) is an academic
clinical research institute under the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University thatprovides training for research staff at all levels. It performs phase I to IV clinical trial design andmanagement using experienced investigators and highly trained staff. The work done at SICRES isintegrated with partners from both private and public sectors. Synchronous collaboration among
regulatory authorities, private companies, and academic research institutes is required to attract andretain clinical research professionals in Thailand.