A systematic review of the literature on the specialty preferences of Nigerian medical graduates: disparity between the literature and reality

Abstract

Background: The Nigerian literature on the preference for specialties under the West African College of Physicians (WACP) among medical graduates reported a preference for core specialties (Internal Medicine and Paediatrics). This finding is at variance with the number of certified new fellows produced by different faculties under the WACP (reality). The aim was to compare the preference for specialties under the WACP by medical graduates in the published literature (2006–2017) with the number of new fellows produced by the faculties under the WACP (2006–2015) and provide explanations for any observed disparity.

Methods: A systematic review was done on primary studies databases, which were searched electronically. Based on the inclusion criteria, 14 eligible studies were reviewed. The number of certified new fellows produced by the WACP in a 10-year period (2006–2015) was also analysed.

Results: The reviewed studies were mainly of cross-sectional design. The majority of the studies (n = 12) reported Internal Medicine and Paediatrics as the preferred specialty choice among the specialties under the WACP. Six of the 14 studies did not list Family Medicine as one of the specialties in their results section. Ironically, the faculty of Family Medicine had the highest number of certified fellows (n = 288 [21.4%]) in the WACP over a 10-year period (2006–2015).

Conclusion: There is a disparity between what the literature reports on the preference of Nigerian medical graduates for specialties under the WACP and the reality. This is particularly noted in the Family Medicine specialty. The unpredictable postgraduate medical experiences that may change prior choices of future specialisation makes longitudinal and qualitative study designs appropriate for this theme to reveal new or changed motives.

Keywords::

• family medicine
• medical graduates
• medical students
• Nigeria, specialty

Summary

The specialty preference of a medical graduate is complex, unpredictable and fluctuates with time. A longitudinal study with a qualitative approach would be a suitable study design to assess career preferences and disclose new or changed intentions.

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank all their associates in the Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta for their huge assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

OS Ojo http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5191-5476

AO Egunjobi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0750-2471

AJ Fatusin http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0265-2462

BO Fatusin http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4576-5413