Assessment of Resident Doctors’ Perception of Postgraduate Medical Education in Nigeria Using the SPEED Tool: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Obtaining feedback from trainees is important in the evaluation and evolution of Postgraduate Medical Education (PME), and policies made based on their felt needs would go a long way in making residency training a worthwhile experience. This pilot study aimed to assess resident doctors’ perception of the training content, atmosphere, and organization using the Scan of Postgraduate Educational Environment Domains (SPEED) tool.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted amongst resident doctors at Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) in Nigeria, between May and August 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect participants’ sociodemographic data, their perception of PME in their respective departments, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the training programmes. Validity and reliability indices were assessed, and descriptive, inferential, and correlational analyses were run where appropriate.

Results: The mean score for the resident doctors’ perception of training content, atmosphere, and organization was 4.0 ± 0.4, 4.2 ± 0.5 and 3.69 ± 0.60 respectively, out of a maximum of 5, indicating a positive perception of training in BUTH. The major strengths perceived by most residents were good inter-personal relations between residents and their trainers, as well as conducive learning and work environment; while the weaknesses include poor remuneration and limited staffing which hampers rotations.

Conclusion: Resident doctors in BUTH mostly had a positive outlook on their training. This study serves as a reference point for local policy change (in BUTH), and a framework from which future studies on PME can emerge.