THE IDEAL MEDICAL STUDENT: THE NIGERIAN TRAINEES PERSPECTIVE

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Eweje S.V.¹, Egbuchulem K. I.², Oladosu O.¹, Izevbekhai O.S.³, Temabor A.J⁴, Oluwalana S.O⁴, Alawode S.⁴, Awodiji M.M.^5, D.I. Olulana

1. Final year Medical Student, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Oyo State.
2. Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.
3. Department of Radiology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.
4. Medical Intern, Clinical Services Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.
5. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Abstract

Introduction: Medical school serves as a training ground and entry path to the dignified profession of medical practice. As a result, the training is rigorous, wholesome and exhaustive.

It aims to raise students who are capable of handling the pressure associated with being a physician, equipped with the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to successfully manage patients as well as the discipline, strength and character needed to uphold the tenets expected of a physician. Medical school more often than not becomes, not just the first exposure to tertiary learning, but coupled with the unique intricacies of the medical field, becomes a new, unprecedented, multifaceted experience in the lives of medical students. There is no explicit guideline dictating who the ideal medical student is or what characteristics are expected of him or her. Various authorities have described some qualities expected of the ideal medical student with noticeable overlap, as skills such as good academic ability, critical thinking, a sense of responsibility and effective communication being the most recurring.¹ An ideal medical student is all at once, a great student and a great medical personnel. Colloquially, it is expected that a medical student be an all-rounder.
The objectives of this commentary therefore are;

1. To outline who an ideal medical student is.
2. To outline the challenges of Nigerian medical students.
3. To enumerate possible solutions to the challenges.
   The Nigerian Medical Students’ Perspective
   The average medical student in Nigeria is accustomed to only studying about cutting edge technologies and medical advancements. It has become somewhat unusual or is considered an opportunity to experience technologically based interventions that have become commonplace in advanced climes. Furthermore, owing to the unstable socio-political and economic climate, the studies of medical students are often interrupted industrial strike actions from the various unions involved in the education of medical students in Nigeria.
   Another important factor of note is the lack of stable amenities such as water and
   electricity, and limited infrastructure like housing. Working around these, as well as seeking personalised alternatives directly and indirectly negatively affect the ability of a medical student to emulate the ideals expected of him or her. In addition, the superstitious sociocultural view of not freely disclosing personal information which is prevalent among patients in Nigeria and the language barriers owing to the varied multi-lingual and ethnic picture in the nation with lack of universal ability to converse in English may hamper the efforts of a medical student.

Conclusion: The end goal of medical school is to produce students who are qualified to take the Physician’s Pledge, and capable of embodying the qualities contained within. The ideal medical student is one step closer to becoming an ideal medical practitioner but for this to occur, careful guidance from their trainers and a conducive environment is of utmost importance.

Keywords: Ideal medical student, Medical school, Nigerian, Trainee

Introduction

A medical student is an individual pursuing a course of study that culminates in a qualification as a doctor of medicine.¹ This is pursued at tertiary colleges known
as medical schools. It is done in two parts; preclinical and clinical/medical school. In our climes, both arms are considered as “medical school”. (Figure 1). In other climes such as the United States of America, only the later arm is considered medical school.

Notwithstanding, the ideals expected of a medical student are largely unchanging irrespective of the arm. Medical school serves as a training ground and entry path to the dignified profession that is medical practice. As a result, the training is rigorous, wholesome and exhaustive. It aims to raise students who are capable of handling the pressures associated with being a physician, equipped with the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to successfully manage patients as well as the discipline and strength of character needed to uphold the tenets expected of a physician.² Medical school is often, although not always, the first exposure aspiring candidates get to the intricacies that come with the world of medical practice. It is a peculiar time in the lives of these aspiring medical doctors because, although it is a journey they embark on equally alongside other bright minds, it is not one they all start on an equal platform. For some, being a medical student is the next path following completion of their secondary education. They are green, unexposed but hopeful. For others, a detour is taken when they fail to secure a coveted slot as a medical student, giving them the opportunity to amass more experience in life than their aforementioned counterparts. For others still, the desire to study medicine is realised much later such that they come into medical school equipped with experience from their previous career(s). Of these three groups, the largest proportion comprises medical students who pursue medicine as a first degree. As a result, medical school more often than not becomes, not just the first exposure to tertiary learning, but coupled with the unique intricacies of the medical field, becomes a new, unprecedented, multifaceted experience in the lives of medical students^.3

The minimum amount of time apportioned to being a medical student in Nigeria is six years. Owing to external influences however, such as strike actions and more recent times, global pandemics, that period can be lengthened. Regardless, the designated time provides medical students with ample opportunities to imbibe all the qualities of an ideal medical student as well as the minimum knowledge required for qualification as a medical doctor. There is no explicit guideline dictating who the ideal medical student is or what characteristics are expected of him or her. This absence of explicitly defined roles has been noted to contribute significantly to the pressure experience in medical school.⁴ Despite this, it can be inferred that what would be the ideal medical student would vary based on the stakeholders he or she is interacting with, which include, but are not limited to the medical doctors who serve as esteemed teachers, the patients who provide practical learning opportunities, the administrative body and the sponsors. Multiple authorities have described some qualities expected of the ideal medical student with noticeable overlap in the various descriptions. An ideal medical student is all at once a great student and a great medical personnel.