Attitudes of Medical Students Toward Orthopaedic and Traumatology as a Career Specialty in Nigeria

Nigeria faces a critical shortage of orthopaedic surgeons, with an estimated ratio far below the recommended threshold for sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the attitudes of medical students toward orthopaedics as a career specialty is vital for addressing this workforce deficit. This cross-sectional descriptive survey examines the perceptions, interest levels, and deterrents of clinical medical students toward choosing orthopaedics and traumatology as a postgraduate career at five Nigerian medical schools spanning all geopolitical zones. A validated online questionnaire adapted from published specialty career choice studies will be administered to 400 final-year students. Domains assessed include intrinsic interest in the specialty, perceived prestige, influence of mentors and role models, concerns about the physical demands and training duration, gender barriers, and exposure quality during clerkships. Data will be stratified by sex and medical school to identify significant differences. The study anticipates that positive clerkship experience is the strongest predictor of career interest. Findings will be submitted to the Association of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeons of Nigeria (AOTSN) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to inform medical education reform. Strategies to attract talented students into orthopaedic surgery will be proposed based on findings. Keywords: orthopaedic career, medical students, specialty choice, workforce shortage, Nigeria.