Exploring artificial intelligence in the Nigerian medical educational space: An online cross-sectional study of perceptions, risks and benefits among students and lecturers from ten universities.

Background: The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) has been compared to that of the Internet and printing, evoking both apprehension and anticipation in an uncertain world. Objective: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of medical students and faculty members from ten universities across Nigeria regarding AI. Methods: Using Google Forms and WhatsApp, a cross-sectional online survey was administered to clinical year medical students and their lecturers from ten medical schools representing all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Results: The survey received 1003 responses, of which 708 (70.7%) were from students and 294 (29.3%) were from lecturers. Both groups displayed an average level of knowledge, with students (Median:4, range -5 to 12) significantly outperforming lecturers (Median:3, range -5 to 15). Social media (61.2%) was the most common form of first contact with AI. Participants demonstrated a favourable attitude towards AI, with a median score of 6.8 out of 10. Grammar checkers (62.3%) were the most commonly reported AI tool used, while ChatGPT (43.6%) was the most frequently mentioned dedicated AI tool. Students were significantly more likely than lecturers to have used AI tools in the past but <5% of both groups had received prior AI training. Excitement about the potential of AI slightly outweighed concerns regarding future risks. A significantly higher proportion of students compared to lecturers believed that AI could dehumanise health care (70.6% vs. 60.8%), render physicians redundant (57.6% vs. 34.7%), diminish physicians' skills (79.3% vs. 71.3%) and ultimately harm patients (28.6% vs. 20.6%). Conclusion: The simultaneous fascination and apprehension with AI observed among both lecturers and students in our study mirrors the global trend. This finding was particularly evident in students who, despite possessing greater knowledge of AI compared to their lecturers, did not exhibit a corresponding reduction in their fear of AI.

Can traditional bonesetters become trained technicians? Feasibility study among a cohort of Nigerian traditional bonesetters.

BACKGROUND: Traditional bonesetters (TBS) provide the majority of primary fracture care in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They are widely patronized and their services are commonly associated with complications. The aim of the study was to establish the feasibility of formal training of TBS and subsequent integration into the healthcare system. METHODS: Two focus group discussions were conducted involving five TBS and eight orthopaedic surgeons in Enugu Nigeria. Audio-recordings made during the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: Training of TBS, their experiences and challenges; perception of traditional bonesetting by orthopaedic surgeons; need for formal training TBS and willingness to offer and accept formal training to improve TBS practice. Participants (TBS group) acquired their skills through informal training by apprenticeship from relatives and family members. They recognized the need to formalize their training and were willing to accept training support from orthopaedists. The orthopaedists recognized that the TBS play a vital role in filling the gap created by shortage of orthopaedic surgeons and are willing to provide training support to them. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of providing formal training to TBS by orthopaedic surgeons to improve the quality of services and outcomes of TBS treatment. This is critical for integration of TBS into the primary healthcare system as orthopaedic technicians. Undoubtedly, this will transform the trauma system in Nigeria and other LMICs where TBS are widely patronized.

Incidence and Pattern of Dog Bite Injuries Treated in the Emergency Room of a Teaching Hospital South East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Dog bite injury treated in the emergency room varies from and within subregions in pattern and potential risk of transmission of rabies. This variation has implications in its morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and pattern of dog bite injuries treated in a teaching hospital emergency room setting of a developing country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the entire patients with dog bite injury treated in the emergency room of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki from January 2006 to December 2015. RESULTS: Dog bite injury necessitated visit in 74 patients with an incidence of 2 per 1000 emergency room attendances, and a male to female ratio of 1:1.1. The mean age of the patients was 25.5 ± 1.87 years, and peak age group incidence was 5-9 years. Lower extremity was involved in 77.5% of the injuries, and buttock was the predominant site of injury in 0-4 years old. Fifty-one (68.9%) owned dogs and 23 (31.1%) stray dogs were involved in the attack. There was unprovoked attack in 81.1% of cases, and 51 (68.9%) sustained Grade II injury. Twenty-eight (37.8%) of the dogs had anti-rabies vaccination. Fifty-four (73%) patients had no prehospital care while 64 (86.5%) received postexposure anti-rabies vaccine. Majority of the patients 73 (98.7%) recovered fully. One (1.4%) patient that presented with clinical rabies self-discharged against medical advice. CONCLUSION: The incidence of dog bite injury is within worldwide range though the female gender bias is unprecedented. We recommend preventive strategies based on the observed pattern and improvement in the rate of prehospital care and higher coverage of anti-rabies vaccination of dogs.