SAT-472 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHOOSING NEPHROLOGY AS A SUBSPECIALTY BY INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Interest in nephrology career among internal medicine residents in developing countries is declining (unpublished data) similar to in western countries. However, concerted efforts have focused on identifying factors discouraging residents from choosing nephrology in developed countries, in order to reverse the trend. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the resident doctors in Internal Medicine in four selected training institutions across the northern and southern parts of Nigeria. The sample size of the study consists of all residents in Internal Medicine (junior and senior) who consented to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to carry out the survey. A total of 78 respondents were interviewed. The mean age of the respondent was 33.52 ± 3.52. A higher proportion of the respondents were males (70.5%) and 56.4% were senior registrars with the mean residency year of 3.46 ± 2.00. A total of 52.6% were not interested in nephrology as a career choice while 47.4% had interest in nephrology. The most common factors identified were advice from mentors or nephrology consultants (80.8%), outcome of most patients with renal condition (79.5%) and positive role model in nephrology medicine (76.9%). The least identified factors were prestige and respect accorded a nephrologist (35.9%) and societal expectation, peer encouragement and societal expectations (42.3%). This study provided an insight into some of the reasons why internal medicine residents are gradually losing interest in choosing nephrology. Lack of scholarship opportunities for specialists, improper training and supervision, lack of social support, late presentation of patients, high patient workload and hectic nature of nephrology postings were the other complaints of respondents. The focus of Nephrology educators should be toward effective teaching strategies to improve student and resident confidence and sense of mastery of the field.