Education and demographic patterns of foreign trained medical graduates sitting the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Licensing Examination

Ugwu IC; Egbuchulem KI; Ogbonna VI; Eseile IS; Nwasor EO; Salufu S; Ubom AE; Onyemelukwe MF; Eseile BJ; Okpebri KO; Ekuaze EF

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i4.1355

Authors

Ugwu IC Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane, G.R.A, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Egbuchulem KI Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Ogbonna VI Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Eseile IS Department of Surgery, Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria
Nwasor EO Department of Anaesthesia, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Salufu S Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Ubom AE Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Onyemelukwe MF Department of Orthopaedics, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Eseile BJ Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte Meta, Lagos State, Nigeria
Okpebri KO Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria
Ekuaze EF Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i4.1355

Keywords:

Foreign medical graduates, Medical licensure, Medical education, MDCN, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) represent a growing proportion but constant group of candidates sitting the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) licensing examination. An understanding of their demographic distribution and medical training background is essential for designing targeted preparatory course and policy interventions for FMGs.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among FMGs preparing for the MDCN licensing examination. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and undergraduate medical education were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: One hundred and twenty-five respondents were recruited. The mean age was 27.6 ± 3.5 years, with majority of the respondents being females (60.8%). Respondents trained mainly in China (36; 28.8%), Sudan (26; 20.8%), and Ukraine (23; 18.4%) with a significant association between the regional origin of the graduates and the choice of country of medical training (P= <.001). Most of them spent six years in medical school (76; 60.8%). Although 119 respondents (94.4%) reported clinical rotations, only 60 (48.0%) had exposure to tropical medicine and 43 (34.4%) had research exposure during their undergraduate training with a significant association between research exposure and their country of training (P< .001).

Conclusion: FMGs preparing for the MDCN licensing examination have heterogeneous educational backgrounds with important gaps in tropical medicine and research exposure. Structured bridging and preparatory programmes may enhance readiness for medical practice in Nigeria.