Social science and medical education in Nigeria

In response to Nigeria's 'old' and seemingly intractable health problems and the emergence of a 'new' epidemiology of behaviour-related and social disorders, there is an urgent need for greater participation of social scientists in the training of front-line health care practitioners and delivery of care. This study was conducted to determine the current extent of involvement of the social sciences in Nigerian medical education. A survey was carried out in all schools/colleges of medicine in the country. Nineteen social scientists, comprising 1 anthropologist, 10 psychologists and 8 sociologists, were identified in 10 of the 12 schools. Questionnaires were sent to all of them and 12 were returned. Analyses of the data collected showed that most psychologists were affiliated with departments of psychiatry and sociologists with community health/social medicine. Psychologists spent most of their time in teaching, clinical work and research (in that order); and sociologists in teaching, research and health care delivery. Most of the social scientists perceived their work as essential in the training of medical doctors and thought that the medical school provided a good opportunity for research. But a significant number of them complained of status inequality with their medically-trained colleagues. This was regarded as one of several obstacles to greater participation of social scientists in Nigerian health care. It was suggested that while social scientists were essential in the training of health care personnel, they needed to diversify their inputs (emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention) in accordance with a broadened and socially relevant view of health and illness.