Survey of teaching, research and conference experiences of paediatric surgical trainees in Nigeria

Aim : To determine the teaching methods used by residents in paediatric surgery in Nigeria and their exposure to research and conferences. Materials and Methods : A structured questionnaire was administered to trainees in paediatric surgery in Nigeria seeking information regarding different teaching methods used; frequency of use; involvement in research and participation in conferences. Results : There were 11 respondents (91.6) of 12 questionnaires that were distributed. All of them were training in accredited teaching hospitals in Nigeria. All of them had been involved in teaching medical students. Ten residents were involved in teaching in wards/bedside two times or more in a week and all were involved in teaching at the clinics. Only one resident used audiovisual aid at least once a week to teach students. Eight trainees used tutorial or seminar group discussion as a teaching tool once a week. Four trainees had not used written essay as a way of teaching students while five had never given students lectures in a classroom before. All the respondents had participated in retrospective research while nine had been involved in prospective research. Nine residents had attended conferences nationally while two had attended international conferences. Six trainees presented a paper or more at national conferences while one presented at an international conference. Conclusion : Trainees in paediatric surgery in Nigeria are significantly involved in the teaching of undergraduate medical students and clinical research. This should be encouraged and further enhanced by motivating the trainees to attend international conferences

Paediatric surgical research and publications in a developing country setting

Background: Research and publications are important in advancing quality of care as well as improving knowledge. Paediatric surgical research and publications in sub Saharan Africa have not been given much focused attention. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of published work in paediatric surgery from a major paediatric surgical centre in Nigeria from 1969 - 2005. All published work were reviewed for nature of research; organ/system and disease condition studied; nature of publication; volume of publication in relation to staffing as well as journal of publication. Results: During the period there were 153 publications consisting of 86 (56.2) original researches (77 of which were of retrospective study designs and 9 prospective); 56 (36.6) case reports; 8 (5.2) letters and 4 (2.6) review articles. None of the studies and publications was funded. More publications were made when the department of surgery was better staffed. Congenital anomalies (57; 37.3) and surgical infections (28; 18.3) were more frequently studied and in 82 (53.4) publications the gastrointestinal tract was the focus. Most publications were in general medical journals (58; 37.9) and general paediatric journals (54; 35.3) but publications in paediatric surgical journals has continued to increase over the years and reached 25.9by 2005. Some of the difficulties and challenges faced included lack of funding; poor staffing and inadequate facilities for laboratory research. Conclusion: Paediatric surgical research and publication in Nigeria is increasing but faces important limitations. Advocacy efforts are needed to improve funding. Networking as well as collaboration is necessary to improve the quality and spectrum of research