Accreditation of surgery residency training programs in a state teaching hospital: preparedness, areas of strengths and weaknesses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20251530Keywords:
Accreditation, Preparedness and challenges, Residency training program, Surgery Department, Port Harcourt, NigeriaAbstract
Background: Quality assurance is a critical issue in almost every aspect of human society, including the health sector. This study evaluated the preparedness, strengths and weaknesses associated with accreditation of the Surgery Department of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for the training programs of the West African College of Surgeons.
Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out among team leads of the accreditation sub-committees in the year 2024, using a proforma. Data was presented as percentages and tables.
Results: There were multi-level accreditation committees and sub-committees that worked for the success of the accreditation. The requirements and scores improved with consecutive phase of evaluation. Surgical and anaesthesia manpower, radiologic services, operating theatre, intensive care unit, physiotherapy services, resident doctors’ welfare and utilities all had 80% and above. Consultants’ welfare met 50% requirement, while others were between 50%-80%.
Conclusions: Manpower, facilities, utilities and environment of practice, some surgical support services and residents’ welfare, were areas of strength. Improvement in consultants’ welfare and software programs that drive residency training is highly recommended in preparation for subsequent accreditations visits.
Metrics
References
Elassy N. The concepts of quality, quality assurance and quality enhancement. Quality Assur Edu. 2015;23(3):250-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-11-2012-0046
Sanyal BC, Martin M. Quality assurance and the role of accreditation: An overview. Report: Higher Education in the World 2007: Accreditation for Quality Assurance: What is at Stake. 2007.
Ibrahim HA. Quality assurance and accreditation in education. Open J Edu. 2014;2(2):106-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12966/oje.06.06.2014
Dybkaer R. Quality assurance, accreditation and certification: needs and possibilities. Clin Chem. 1994;40(7):1416-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/40.7.1416
Kumar P, Shukla B, Passey D. Impact of accreditation on quality and excellence of higher education institutions. Invest Opera. 2020;41(2):151-67.
Harvey L. The power of accreditation: Views of academics. J Higher Education Policy Management. 2004;26(2):207-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080042000218267
Pham HT. Impacts of higher education quality accreditation: a case study in Vietnam. Quality Higher Education. 2018; 24(2):168-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2018.1491787
Kilsdonk M, Siesling S, Otter R, Harten WV. Evaluating the impact of accreditation and external peer review. Int J Health Care Quality Assurance. 2015;28(8):757-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-05-2014-0055
Brahimi T, Sarirete A, Ibrahim RM. The impact of accreditation on student learning outcomes. Int J Knowledge Society Research (IJKSR). 2016;7(4):51-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJKSR.2016100105
Halasa YA, Zeng W, Chappy E, Shepard DS. Value and impact of international hospital accreditation: a case study from Jordan. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2015;21(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.26719/2015.21.2.90
Umar SS, Babandi ZS, Suleiman AG, Umar UM, Olorukooba AA, Ahmad AJ, Muhammad BO, Umar AI, Ahmad A, Obazenu LO. Assessing Performance of Resident Doctors in Training in Northwestern Nigeria. Nigerian J Med. 2021;30(3):264-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/NJM.NJM_1_21
Federal Government of Nigeria. Medical Residency Training Act; 2017. Available on: Https://gazettes.africa/archive/ng/2018/ng-government-gazette-dated-2018-07-16-n0-92.pdf &ved. Accessed on 19 April 2021.
Bode CO, Olatosi JO, Ademuyiwa A. Accreditation of training programmes by the West African College of Surgeons. J West African Coll Surg. 2012;2(2):95.
Taiwo FT, Adesegun OA, Idowu AO, Mene A, Imaralu JO, Adekoya AO. Assessment of resident doctors’ perception of postgraduate medical education in Nigeria using the SPEED tool: A pilot study. Nigerian J Med. 2021;30(1):71-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/NJM.NJM_172_20
Olasoji O, Idon P, Mustapha Z, Suleiman I, Abba H. Postgraduate trainees’ perceptions of the learning environment in a Nigerian teaching hospital. African J Health Profess Educ. 2017;9(3):116-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7196/AJHPE.2017.v9i3.786
Nwashilli NJ. Duration from Medical School Graduation to Commencement of Surgical Residency Training in Nigeria: Implication for Specialist Surgical Care. Nigerian J Med Dental Educ. 2020;2(2):73.
Ukachukwu AE, Petitt Z, Usman B, Ekweogwu OC, Dawang Y, Ahmad MH, Ayodele OA, Badejo OA, Morgan E, Onyia CU, Orhorhoro OI. The status of specialist neurosurgical training in Nigeria: A survey of practitioners, trainers and trainees. World Neurosurg. 2024;185:44-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.040
Ogunsemi OO, Alebiosu OC, Shorunmu OT. A survey of perceived stress, intimidation, harassment and well-being of resident doctors in a Nigerian teaching hospital. Niger J Clinc Pract. 2010;13(2):183–6.
Abodunrin OL, Temitayo-Obor AA, Arinde JT. Intimidation, harassment and discrimination in internship and residency training in a teaching hospital in South-West Nigeria. Eur J Pharm Med Res. 2017;4(7):856–63.
Adewara BA, Adeoye AO, Awe OO, Oyedun TO, Akinde MO. Ophthalmology Residency Training in Nigeria: The Trainers' Perspective. Nigerian Postgraduate Med J. 2023; 30(1):61-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/npmj.npmj_272_22
Idowu BM. Postgraduate radiology education in Nigeria: Looking backward and forward. SA J Radiol. 2018;22(1):1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v22i1.1362
Lawal ON. Examining the role of budgeting and institutional factors on funding of public medical education in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, University of Lagos. Nigeria. 2022.
Iruonagbe CT, Imhonopi D, Egharevba ME. Higher education in Nigeria and the emergence of private universities. Int J Edu and Res. 2015;3(2):49-64.
Ajayi OO, Adebamowo CA. Surgery in Nigeria. Arch Surg. 1999;134(2): 206-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.134.2.206
Channels Television. Wike Commissions Renal Centre, House Officers Quarters at State University Teaching Hospital. 2023. Avaialable at: https://www.youtube. Accessed on 29th January 2025.
Chukwu I. Fubara reveals plans to make Rivers new. Available at: medical tourism hub. Accessed 29th January 2025.
Efe D. Quality Healthcare: Governor Wike Commission Re-Equipped Radiology Department of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Available at: https://www.towncrier.ng/pol. Accessed on 29th January 2025.
Ofiebor O. CMD applauds Fubara over upgrade of facilities at RSUTH. PM News Nigeria. 2023. Available at: https:// pmnewsnigeria.com. Accessed on 21 December 2024.
Naku D. Fubara approves employment of 500 health workers in RSUTH. Punch Nigeria. 20024. Available at: https://punchng.com/fubara. Accessed on 21 January 2025.
Mato CN, Ijah RF, Odu NN, Aaron FE. Preparing for Accreditation of Undergraduate Medical Training Programs in a Private Medical University in Nigeria. American J Med and Clin Res Rev. 2024;3(5):1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58372/2835-6276.1175
European Society of Endodontology. Accreditation of postgraduate speciality training programmes in Endodontology. Minimum criteria for training Specialists in Endodontology within Europe. Int Endodon J. 2010;43(9):725-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2591.2010.01784.x
Talib Z, Narayan L, Harrod T. Postgraduate medical education in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review spanning 26 years and lessons learned. J Graduate Med Edu. 2019;11(4):34-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-19-00170
Olaopa OI. Amendment of the Nigerian Medical Residency Training Act. Nig J Med. 2023;32(1):106-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/NJM.NJM_135_22
Robinson ED. Domesticating Medical Residency Training Act; the role of the resident, RSUTH and the rivers state government. Am J Hum Soc Sci Res. 2020 4:68-71.
Kordoo F. Resident doctors hail Fubara over residency training grant. Punch Nigeria. 2024. Available at: https://punchng.com/resident. Accessed on 21 August 2024.
Ehikhamenor E, Chiwuike UK. Towards Developing and Establishing a Regulatory Guideline for Accreditation of Forensic Education in Nigeria. SM J Forensic Res Criminol. 2017;1(2):1007.
Udom UO. Major features of accreditation in Nigeria. Quality Higher Edu. 1996; 2(2):143-54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1353832960020206