Affiliation:
1. University of Oxford
2. University of Lagos
3. Lagos State University College of Medicine
4. St. George’s University
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Advances in precision medicine in Nigeria call for a need to improve genomics education and competency among healthcare practitioners to facilitate clinical translation. Due to the paucity of research in this area, this study aimed to assess the preparedness of Nigerian medical students to integrate precision medicine into their clinical practice.
Methods
This was an institution-based cross-sectional study of 300 4th to 6th-year medical students attending the two fully-accredited colleges of medicine in Lagos, Nigeria between April and October 2022 using an adapted tool administered via Google Forms. The survey assessed awareness, perceived knowledge, ability, and attitudes toward precision medicine as well as ethical concerns and perceptions about their education in precision medicine.
Results
Awareness of precision medicine terminologies was high (92.0%). Respondents had above-average median knowledge and ability scores and high median attitude scores. Respondents expressed concerns mostly about the misuse of genomic data (35.7%) and the possible widening of socioeconomic disparities (34.0%). Although respondents thought that it is important to learn about precision medicine (65.0%), only 11.3% felt that their education had adequately prepared them.
Conclusion
These highlight a poor sense of preparedness and the need to improve precision medicine education among Nigerian medical students.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
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