Nigerian Medical Students' Opinions About the Undergraduate Curriculum in Psychiatry

Abstract

Medical students surveyed would welcome an undergraduate curriculum that integrates the learning of psychiatry with other specialties and skills-training relevant for primary care. Efforts to modify the current curriculum in psychiatry in Nigerian medical schools should be encouraged.

Nigerian Medical Students’ Opinions about Individuals who use and Abuse Psychoactive Substances

“…A recent national survey of medical students showed that they did not see addiction psychiatry as relevant to their undergraduate psychiatry curriculum. 20 The training years for future physicians holds the best opportunity to correct misconceptions and promote positive attitudes regarding substance use and toward individuals who misuse them. Attitudes have been reported to become more negative as medical professionals transit through medical school and into a residency program.…”

“…A recent national survey of medical students showed that they did not see addiction psychiatry as relevant to their undergraduate psychiatry curriculum. 20…”

Perceptions, attitudes and cultural understandings of mental health in Nigeria: a scoping review of published literature

“…The belief in heredity, genetic or biological factors was prevalent among medical doctors and medical students (Abayomi et al, 2013;Adewuya & Oguntade, 2007;Adewuya et al, 2017;Aghukwa, 2010;Igobodaro, 2017;Igobodaro, Stefanovics, Makanjuola & Rosenheck, 2015). Traditional or spiritual causation was prevalent among primary health care workers while medical doctors and medical students held more psychological and biological beliefs (Abiodun, 1991;Adelekan et al, 2001;Adewuya & Oguntade, 2007;Adewuya et al, 2017;Aghukwa, 2010;Ewhrudjakpo, 2009;Igbodaro et al, 2015;James, Lawani, Omoaregba & Jenkins, 2012;James et al, 2013). Two studies among traditional health practitioners showed that before training, the participants could not recognise symptoms of mental disorders and held a strong belief in supernatural causes such as actions from enemies using supernatural forces.…”

“…Some medical professionals expressed shame and were not willing to accept that a recovered mentally ill could teach children (Adewuya & Oguntade, 2007). However, more experienced medical health workers showed more positive attitude (James et al, 2013;Mosuku & Wallymahmed, 2016;Ogunlesi & Adelekan, 1988).…”

Views of Future Doctors on the Current Mental Health Clerkship Programme of a Nigerian University

“…In our centre, as in some other Nigerian universities, the clerkship is of only two weeks, running concurrently with a 16-week didactic lecture series by other subspecialties. Some researchers have recommended modifications to the current curriculum in psychiatry in Nigerian medical schools [15].…”