Otorhinolaryngology postgraduate training in Nigeria: Trainees perspective

Aim: This study is designed to evaluate the challenges of residency training in otolaryngology in Nigeria from the point of view of the trainees. Materials and Methods: The study setting was the 2014 otolaryngology revision/update course organized by the West African College of Surgeons at University College Hospital, Ibadan. This was a questionnaire-based study administered to 78 resident doctors from different training institutions across the country who participated in the revision course. All participants consented to the study and were given a structured questionnaire to complete and return. Data were collated in Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed using Epi Info® 2002 Epidemiology program Office Centre for disease Control, Atlanta USA. Results: Seventy-six out of the 78 residents who attended the course responded, giving a response rate of 97.4%. The geographical distribution showed that the South West had 5 (27.8%) institutions, while North East and South East had 1 (5.6%) and 2 (11.1%), respectively. Fifty-six (73.7%) of the respondents were under 40 years of age. The gender ratio was 4.7:1. Sixty-eight (89.5%) were married. The decision to choose ORL was personal interest in 68 (89.5%). Textbooks were available to 45 (59.2%) respondents. Thirty (39.5%) of them read for at least 2 h/day, and obstacles to reading were clinical work overload in 56 (73.7%) and fatigue in 55 (72.4%). Forty (52.6%) respondents had >5 consultant Ear-Nose-Throat surgeons in their institutions. Departmental activities were also highlighted. Conclusion: This study highlighted the location of majority of the ORL residency training institutions in South West, Nigeria, and married. Most of the respondents have the required textbooks but found it hard to read mainly due to clinical work overload and family burden.