Non-Technical Skills Training for Nigerian Interprofessional Surgical Teams: Which Way Forward? A Cross-sectional Survey

Abstract

Introduction Non-technical skills (NTS) like situational awareness, decision making, leadership, communication, and teamwork, are critical elements for enhancing surgical safety. In low-income contexts, NTS are often considered soft skills and therefore not included in formal medical education curriculums or continuing medical education. A survey was designed to explore exposure to NTS for interprofessional teams in North-Central Nigeria and identify perceived barriers and facilitates to surgical safety to inform the design of a contextualized curriculum. Methods Six institutions with high surgical volumes, including private not-for-profit and government-owned teaching hospitals, were purposively identified. Using snowball sampling through surgical team leads, a 19-item, web-based cross-sectional survey was distributed to 71 surgical providers, anaesthetists and perioperative nurses between August and November 2021. Data was analysed using proportions and Fisher's exact test. Results The survey had a 95.7% completion rate. Respondents included 17 anaesthetists, 21 perioperative nurses, and 29 surgeons. Over half were unaware of the concept of NTS, and 96% had never heard of a NTS framework for variable resource contexts. Only 8% had received NTS training. Communication and teamwork were considered the most deficient personal skills (38, 57%), and the most needed for team improvement (45, 67%). There was a high demand for training by all team members (64, 96%), motivated by expectations of improved patient safety and better team dynamics. Respondents preferred week-long, hybrid training courses with in-person and online components. Perceived barriers to attendance were time conflicts and costs. Perceived facilitators included a desire for self-improvement and patient safety. Conclusions Interprofessional surgical teams in the Nigerian context have a high degree of interest in NTS training, believing it can improve patient safety, team dynamics and personal performance. Implementation of NTS training programs should emphasize interprofessional communication and teamwork.