Perception of Early Career Doctors Towards Residency Program in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: The residency program was established to train doctors to become specialists who offer specialized care to the population. There has been a steady decline in the number of applicants to the residency program in the last decade. This study assessed the perception of early career doctors towards the residency training program in Nigeria.

Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, the study was conducted among house officers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Results: One hundred and twenty-six accurately filled questionnaires by participants were analyzed. There were 54.8% female and 45.2% male. The majority of the participants were not interested in the residency program and about a third stated that the program was inadequate and could be better. Poor work facility (33%) was the most common factor responsible for emigration, followed by poor remuneration (27.8%).

Conclusion: The residency program awards residents with specialist degrees. However, there has been a decline in the number of applications. Poor working environment and poor pay were cited as some of the reasons for emigration. Professional health bodies/governments need to urgently look into the factors responsible for the poor perception of early career doctors towards the residency program.