CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PRACTICES AMONG DOCTORS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS

Abstract

The remarkable growth and advances in knowledge, skills and techniques in health care delivery necessitate that Continuing Medical Education (CME) is of critical importance for quality medical practice. The few available surveys in West Africa show that most doctor practicing outside teaching and specialist health institutions do not take part in regular CME activities. This study was aimed at assessing the available forms of CME, areas of needs for medical doctors, their uptake of CME and the factors affecting CME participation in Ibadan metropolis. The study was a cross-sectional survey. The respondents were selected from private, general and teaching hospitals in Ibadan metropolis by simple random sampling through balloting without replacement. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Three hundred questionnaires were self-administered but only 205 responded giving a response rate of 68.3% over a period of six-months. Descriptive and Chi square statistics were used for the data analysis. The mean age of the two hundred and five participants was 40.3' 9.5 years. A total of 166(81%) were married and 149(72.7%) were males. Among the respondents, 95(46.3%) had additional postgraduate qualifications, 74(36.1%), worked in general/mission hospitals while 66 (32.2%) and 65(31.7%) practiced in primary/private and tertiary health facilities respectively. Only 96(46.3%) of the respondents were computer literate with 65(31.7%) having internet access. In the twelve months preceding the study, 110(53.7%) subscribed to medical journals, 49(23.9%) did not attend any CME and 64.9% were not involved in any medical research. Most 202(98.5%) referred patients to other health facilities but only 32(15.6%) got feedbacks from their referrals. One hundred and ninety four (94.6%) of the respondents, indicated that lectures, seminars, conferences and update courses were the common forms of CME in Ibadan metropolis. One hundred and ten (53.7%) of the respondents, were of the view that professional bodies should be responsible for the conduct of CME while 149 (77.3%), opined that CME should be funded by government and employers. Special areas of CME needs highlighted were internal medicine, surgery, finance and health management by 166(81.0%) of the respondents. Whereas 103 (54.5%), preferred CME to be conducted monthly or quarterly, CME attendance was significantly associated with age and marital status as married doctors 116(81%),attended more CME sessions than the singles ( p=0.006). The attendance increased with age between 20 and 49 years (p=0.001). Long CME sessions and unsuitable timing, were identified by 185 (90.2%) of the respondents, as mitigating factors to CME attendance and participation. However 180(87.8%), believed that CME would increase their knowledge and improve the quality of their practice. Participation in continuing medical education is yet to become a universal practice among doctors in the study area and the reported continuing education needs among them were related to acquisition of clinical and managerial skills. The creation of more opportunities for continuing medical education and self-directed learning for practicing medical doctors is recommended.