Perception of the impact of family medicine undergraduate training on medical practice among medical graduates of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Family Medicine is not included in the undergraduate training curriculum by most universities in Nigeria despite its importance in medical  training globally. This study is aimed at determining the perception of the impact of Family Medicine undergraduate training on the medical practice  post-graduation, among medical graduates of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Methods: The study was descriptive cross-sectional that administered a semi-structured questionnaire on 91 medical graduates of AAU from 2006 to  2020 who filled and submitted the forms online. Responses received were collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). 

Results: Most of the respondents were males 64 (70.3%) with a mean age of 34.8 (± 5.88) years. They mostly practiced in public health facilities 76 (83.5%)  located in semi-urban areas 45 (49.5%). The majority 38 (41.7%) believed their Family Medicine undergraduate training has had a major influence on their  medical career. Most of the respondents 43 (47.3%) often apply the principles of Family Medicine in their clinical practice and 39 (42.8%) also used  Family Medicine tools in their practice.

Conclusion: Undergraduate Family Medicine training was found to be useful post-graduation and its principles  were being used by respondents in their medical practice irrespective of specialty. They also perceived the training as necessary for undergraduate medical students. There is therefore the need to increase Family Medicine training in our medical schools.