An Appraisal of the Mental Health Curriculum for Undergraduates in Nigerian Medical Schools

Abstract

Background : Nigerian Medical Schools need to attain international bes t prac t i ces in teaching psychiatry. The supply or availability of mental health professionals demands strong medical school psychiatry curriculum. The study therefore aims to investigate the level of adherence of Nigerian Medical Schools to the requirements of the regulatory bodies with regard to the teaching of Psychiatry at the undergraduate level. Methods : A short seven item questionnaire was distributed to examiners in the Faculty of Psychiatry in April 2011, during the Fellowship Examination of the West African College of Physicians. Results : Thirteen medical schools, spread across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria were represented. Ten of the schools (79.6%) reported having a separate  department of psychiatry. Only five of the medical schools provide some teaching in behavioural sciences during the preclinical years. Seven schools have no ward round teaching, most have neither tutorials nor seminars and majority (84.6%) do not conduct an independent examination in psychiatry. Conclusions : Ppsychiatry curriculum is being selectively implemented in Nigerian Medical Schools. Keywords : Psychiatry , Curriculum, Medical schools, Nigeria, Teaching