Pattern of Spread of Medical Schools in Nigeria

The pattern of spread of medical schools in Nigeria has an effect on the general availability of doctors nationwide and their retention in their primary area of training. Using statistics from the National Population Commission and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, we determined the pattern of distribution in the geo-political zones in Nigeria. There were 25 fully accredited and 6 partially accredited medical schools. There were 15 Federal, 12 State and four privately owned medical schools, nine in the South South zone with a population of 21,044,081, seven in the South East zone with a population of 16,395,555 and seven in the South West with 27,722,432. In the North Central zone, there were 4 medical schools with a population of 20,369,956, three in the North West with 35,915,467 and only one in the North East with a population of 18,984,299. In each geo-political zone, the mean distribution was 5 medical schools, 3 federal owned, 2 states owned. Medical schools are not evenly distributed in Nigeria. While the North East, North West and North Central zones have below the National average of the total medical schools, the South East, South West and South South zones have above the National average. Also, the number of medical schools in each zone had a linear relationship to the percentage population that completed secondary school education. The Governments especially States should develop more medical training institutions especially in the geo-political zones below the National average of medical schools (Northern part of the country). In addition, secondary school completion rate should be improved so also creation of more medical schools and expanding of current capacity of existing medical schools to increase doctors in North East, North West and North central geopolitical zones. Keywords: Medical schools, Nigeria, geopolitical zone

Challenges of Residency Training and Early Career Doctors in Nigeria Phase II: Update on Objectives, Design, and Rationale of Study

Background: Early career doctors (ECDs) are a dynamic and highly mobile group of medical and dental practitioners who form a significant proportion of the health workforce in Nigeria. The challenges of residency training and ECDs in Nigeria CHARTING Phase I study explored limited challenges affecting ECDs under the broad themes of demography, workplace issues, and psychosocial issues. The CHARTING II was expanded to provide wider insight into the challenges of ECDs in Nigeria. Objective: This protocol aims to provide clear objectives including description of objectives, design, and rationale for the conduct of the proposed CHARTING II study which seeks to explore other components under the various themes of demographic, workplace, psychosocial issues affecting the ECDs in Nigeria, and which were not explored under CHARTING I.   Methodology: This shall be a mixed study design that will combine qualitative and quantitative methods, to investigate 27 subthemes among 2000 ECDs spread across 31 centers, accredited by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors. Participants shall be selected using the multistage sampling method. The primary data will be generated using structured proforma and validated questionnaires,while administrative sources would serve as a source of secondary data. Data will be entered and analyzed using appropriate statisticalsoftware. Conclusion: CHARTING II study would provide more robust data and insight into the problems encountered by ECDs in Nigeria. This would in turn build a platform for institutional engagement and advocacy in order to drive relevant policies to mitigate these challenges. Keywords: Early career doctors, Nigeria, residency, resident doctors, trainin

Availability and Utilisation of Library Information Resources by Students in Selected Secondary Schools in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

School libraries are established to compliment classroom instructions through the utilisation of their information resources. However, previous studies have shown decline in the utilisation of information resources in school libraries. Thus, the study focuses investigation on availability and utilisation of library information resources by students in selected secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprises of 400 students randomly selected from four secondary schools. Questionnaire was the instrument used for gathering data. The data collected were analysed using frequency and mean distribution. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered, however, 320 copies were duly filled and returned giving 80% response rate. Findings of the study revealed that the level of information resources availability was generally low. However, specifically, textbooks and reference materials were moderately available. It was also found that information resources such as textbooks, newspapers, photographs, government publications had a low level of utilisation, albeit charts had a moderate level of utilisation. Furthermore, information resources were used for the purpose of assignment, class work, general studies, personal development, relaxation, to form notes and examination preparation; however, current awareness and research were not. It was therefore, recommended that relevant stakeholders in the educational sector should ensure that every secondary school should have a functional library that is equipped with relevant information resources and a professional librarian that would manage and promote the library and their information resources utilisation

Exploring Issues and Challenges of Leadership among Early Career Doctors in Nigeria Using a Mixed-Method Approach: CHARTING Study

(1) Background: leadership behaviour is a poorly explored phenomenon among early-career doctors (ECDs). Good leadership is vital in maximising the effective management of patients in a clinical setting. While a good number of studies, though with small sample surveys, have researched the role of leadership in clinical setting quantitatively, qualitative investigations are yet to be done in Nigeria. This study aims to explore the attitudes, skills, and experience of ECDs in Nigeria on issues pertaining to leadership in a medical setting, using a mixed-method approach. (2) Methods: we conducted two sessions of key informant focus group discussion (FGD) that involved 14 ECD leaders in Nigeria, exploring their leadership experience in a clinical setting. Furthermore, we used a self-administered questionnaire to quantitatively survey 474 ECDs from seven Nigerian teaching hospitals to explore their attitudes, skills, and experience on issues pertaining to medical leadership. (3) Results: taking on leadership roles is a common phenomenon (52.7%) among the surveyed ECDs; however, the medical leadership position can be very challenging for ECDs in Nigeria. Despite the fact that many (91.1%) of the surveyed ECDs perceived leadership skills as essential skills needed by a doctr, many (44.1%) of them were yet to be formally trained on medical leadership. About three out of every 10 (23.6%) of surveyed ECDs that have ever held leadership positions in a medical setting experienced major leadership challenges while in such office due to their lack of training on leadership skills. Leadership skill acquisition programmes are highly recommended to become an integral part of medical training programmes in Nigeria. (4) Conclusion: there is a need for a structured leadership skill acquisition programme for ECDs in Nigeria. This programme will help in the robust delivery of highly effective healthcare services in Nigeria, as effective leadership is crucial to patient care services

Exploring issues and challenges of leadership among early career doctors in nigeria using a mixed-method approach: CHARTING study

Background: leadership behaviour is a poorly explored phenomenon among early-career doctors (ECDs). Good leadership is vital in maximising the effective management of patients in a clinical setting. While a good number of studies, though with small sample surveys, have researched the role of leadership in clinical setting quantitatively, qualitative investigations are yet to be done in Nigeria. This study aims to explore the attitudes, skills, and experience of ECDs in Nigeria on issues pertaining to leadership in a medical setting, using a mixed-method approach. (2) Methods: we conducted two sessions of key informant focus group discussion (FGD) that involved 14 ECD leaders in Nigeria, exploring their leadership experience in a clinical setting. Furthermore, we used a self-administered questionnaire to quantitatively survey 474 ECDs from seven Nigerian teaching hospitals to explore their attitudes, skills, and experience on issues pertaining to medical leadership. (3) Results: taking on leadership roles is a common phenomenon (52.7%) among the surveyed ECDs; however, the medical leadership position can be very challenging for ECDs in Nigeria. Despite the fact that many (91.1%) of the surveyed ECDs perceived leadership skills as essential skills needed by a doctr, many (44.1%) of them were yet to be formally trained on medical leadership. About three out of every 10 (23.6%) of surveyed ECDs that have ever held leadership positions in a medical setting experienced major leadership challenges while in such office due to their lack of training on leadership skills. Leadership skill acquisition programmes are highly recommended to become an integral part of medical training programmes in Nigeria. (4) Conclusion: there is a need for a structured leadership skill acquisition programme for ECDs in Nigeria. This programme will help in the robust delivery of highly effective healthcare services in Nigeria, as effective leadership is crucial to patient care services