Dr. Kasem Chaiklongkit
Your primary role as a physician is to provide daily care and treatment for patients with a wide range of conditions, including muscular, skeletal, joint, and nerve-related disorders. This includes managing common medical conditions as well as injuries caused by sports activities and various types of accidents.
After earning his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Dr. Kasem pursued advanced training in orthopedics (bone and joint medicine) at the Police Hospital. He later continued his academic journey by obtaining a doctoral degree in Sport Science from Burapha University. Reflecting on his educational experiences, Dr. Kasem shared:
“During my years as a medical student, I enjoyed playing racquet sports. At that time, there were senior physicians specializing in orthopedics who took care of sports-related injuries within our team. They became role models for us, and I aspired to follow in their footsteps by becoming a specialist in this field. That inspiration led me to pursue further training in bone and joint medicine at the Police Hospital.
Currently, I also serve as a physician for national athletes, supporting teams at both the Asian Games and Olympic levels.”
International Experience and Professional Development
Dr. Kasem has had the opportunity to study and observe orthopedic practices firsthand in England, Germany, and Austria, as well as sports science programs in the Netherlands. He believes that exposure to international medical systems enhances clinical expertise and broadens treatment perspectives, ultimately benefiting patient care.
Patient Care and Clinical Focus
In his daily practice, Dr. Kasem primarily treats patients with bone and joint injuries, including those resulting from sports activities and various types of accidents. At Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, approximately 60% of his patients present with injuries caused by accidents—most commonly road traffic accidents, particularly involving motorcycles. Other cases stem from everyday incidents such as slips and falls at different heights.
Another major group of patients includes individuals with sports-related injuries or injuries caused by exercise. Dr. Kasem frequently provides care for sports enthusiasts in areas such as Pattaya and Bangsaen, ranging from children and adolescents to university athletes and national-level competitors.
The remaining 40% of patients typically present with general musculoskeletal conditions, including neck pain, nerve inflammation, and disc herniation.
Teamwork for Optimal Patient Outcomes
Dr. Kasem emphasizes the importance of teamwork, drawing parallels to the core value of athletes: “One for all, and all for one.” He believes that collaboration is essential for achieving positive outcomes and sustainable growth within an organization.
“In a hospital setting, it is not only physicians who play an important role. No doctor can manage everything alone. Effective patient care depends on collaboration among multiple departments, all working together to support one another. Each person functions like a cog in a wheel, collectively driving the healthcare system forward for the greatest benefit of our patients.”
Diverse Roles Beyond Clinical Practice
In addition to patient care, Dr. Kasem plays an active role in education and sports medicine. He serves as a special lecturer at Burapha University, acts as a research consultant for several universities in the Eastern region, and frequently speaks on topics related to sports medicine. He is also recognized as an expert in sports medicine for Thai athletics.
Dr. Kasem has been involved in organizing medical services for major sporting events, including marathons such as Bangsaen 21, and regularly provides medical support for athletes across various sports disciplines. He shared one memorable case:
“There was a young athlete—a promising provincial runner with the potential to compete at the national level—who came in with severe back pain during running. Initially, it appeared to be a spinal disc issue. However, after a detailed assessment, I discovered that the underlying cause was muscle imbalance between the left and right sides of the body. At high running speeds, this imbalance led to pain and injury.”
Dr. Kasem designed a treatment plan focused on restoring muscular balance through strength training and physical therapy. By integrating his expertise in musculoskeletal medicine, sports science, and personal experience in exercise, he successfully guided the patient through rehabilitation. The athlete was able to return to competitive running at full performance without recurring pain.
