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Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Odonkor, MN; Dada, OE; Rincon-Torroella, J; Pahwa, B; Balogun, JA; Ukachukwu, A-EK; Fuller, AT; Huang, J; Groves, M; Badejo, OA; Abu-Bonsrah, N
Published in: World Neurosurg
May 2024

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has an inadequate number of neurosurgeons to meet the population's demand for neurosurgical care. Furthermore, few Nigerian neurosurgeons are female. This study sought to evaluate perceived barriers to pursuing neurosurgery among Nigerian trainees. METHODS: A 60-question survey was distributed electronically to medical students at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and unspecialized intern physicians at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Participation was voluntary. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-seven respondents participated in the survey. A greater proportion of males indicated an interest in neurosurgery than females (40% vs. 18%, P = 0.010). Over 75% of respondents identified decreased family and personal time, long work hours, and limited access to maternity or paternity leave as potential barriers to neurosurgery, with no differences by gender. Respondents overall saw being female and low-income as disadvantageous to pursuing neurosurgery in Nigeria. Although they universally viewed research as important in neurosurgery, 59% of respondents reported inadequate access to research opportunities; this did not vary by gender. However, 65% of female respondents reported that having a female neurosurgery mentor would increase their interest in neurosurgery (vs. 37% of males, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nigerian medical trainees perceived the time commitment of neurosurgery as a major barrier to pursuing the specialty. Regardless of gender, they also reported low exposure to neurosurgery and inadequate access to research and mentorship opportunities. However, we found that enhanced female representation among neurosurgery mentors and improved work-life balance could increase interest in neurosurgery and help expand Nigeria's neurosurgical workforce.

Duke Scholars

Published In

World Neurosurg

DOI

EISSN

1878-8769

Publication Date

May 2024

Volume

185

Start / End Page

e57 / e74

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Students, Medical
  • Physicians
  • Nigeria
  • Neurosurgery
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Odonkor, M. N., Dada, O. E., Rincon-Torroella, J., Pahwa, B., Balogun, J. A., Ukachukwu, A.-E., … Abu-Bonsrah, N. (2024). Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians. World Neurosurg, 185, e57–e74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.112
Odonkor, Michelle N., Olaoluwa Ezekiel Dada, Jordina Rincon-Torroella, Bhavya Pahwa, James A. Balogun, Alvan-Emeka K. Ukachukwu, Anthony T. Fuller, et al. “Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians.World Neurosurg 185 (May 2024): e57–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.112.
Odonkor MN, Dada OE, Rincon-Torroella J, Pahwa B, Balogun JA, Ukachukwu A-EK, et al. Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians. World Neurosurg. 2024 May;185:e57–74.
Odonkor, Michelle N., et al. “Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians.World Neurosurg, vol. 185, May 2024, pp. e57–74. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.112.
Odonkor MN, Dada OE, Rincon-Torroella J, Pahwa B, Balogun JA, Ukachukwu A-EK, Fuller AT, Huang J, Groves M, Badejo OA, Abu-Bonsrah N. Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians. World Neurosurg. 2024 May;185:e57–e74.
Journal cover image

Published In

World Neurosurg

DOI

EISSN

1878-8769

Publication Date

May 2024

Volume

185

Start / End Page

e57 / e74

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Students, Medical
  • Physicians
  • Nigeria
  • Neurosurgery
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female