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Annals of African Medicine
Annals of African Medicine Society
ISSN: 1596-3519
Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009, pp. 90-94
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Bioline Code: am09021
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Annals of African Medicine, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009, pp. 90-94
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The prospect of anatomy as a career choice among clinical year medical students in Nigeria
Onakpoya, Oluwatoyin H; Onakpoya, Uvie U & Adereti, Grace E
Abstract
Background : Medical doctors are potential important source of anatomy teachers. The aim of this study was to determine the choice of anatomy as a career option among medical students in a Nigerian medical school
Method : Descriptive survey of second- and third-year medical students using a self-administered questionnaire to asses age, sex, perception of anatomy as a subject, anatomy training experience and choice of anatomy as a career among respondents. Analysis was conducted using the SPSS and statistical significance inferred at P< 0.05.
Results : Three hundred and fifty three (85.3% response rate) who completely filled questionnaire were returned and analyzed of which 195 (55.2%) were males and 158(44.8%) were females. Their ages ranged between 18 and 37 years with a mean of 22.4 ± 9.9 years. Although most students agreed that anatomy was an important subject in medical sciences 346 (98%), they had benefited from anatomy training in their clinical classes 320 (90.7%), and the knowledge of anatomy is useful in investigating patients with certain diseases 251 (71.1%), only 22 (6.2%) would choose anatomy as a career. Male students were more likely to choose anatomy as a career (P=0.026). Textbooks were the most common 334 (94.5%), while radiological means were the least 23 (6.5%) method employed in learning anatomy.
Conclusion : Anatomy as a subject is perceived positively by clinical medical students, but the choice as a career option is low; attempt at increasing career interest is needful.
Keywords
Anatomy, career choice, gender, medical education, medical students, Nigeria
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© Copyright 2009 Annals of African Medicine. Alternative site location: http://www.annalsafrmed.org
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