Evaluation of Equine Rectal Examination Competency Among Veterinary Graduates in North East Nigeria: A Skills Gap Analysis

Rectal examination is a fundamental diagnostic skill in equine medicine with critical applications in colic assessment, reproductive evaluation, and urogenital diagnosis. Deficiencies in this skill among newly qualified veterinary graduates represent a significant patient safety and professional competency concern. This study evaluates the rectal examination competency of veterinary graduates within five years of graduation who are currently practicing in the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, encompassing Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States. A structured skills assessment using validated rectal examination competency rubrics was conducted with 38 participating graduate veterinarians, supplemented by self-assessment questionnaires and structured interviews. Objective structured clinical examination formats were used to simulate rectal examination on phantom rectal models. Only 29% of assessed practitioners demonstrated competency in systematic rectal palpation of all target structures. Identification of nephrosplenic entrapment and large colon displacement were most frequently incorrect. Self-reported confidence was substantially higher than measured objective competency, a discordance present in 67% of participants. Inadequate supervised practice opportunities during undergraduate training was identified as the primary competency gap driver by 84% of respondents. The study fills a critical knowledge gap regarding equine clinical skill proficiency among recently qualified veterinarians in North Eastern Nigeria and recommends the introduction of structured equine clinical skills laboratories, mandatory rectal examination simulation training, and competency-based assessment frameworks in Nigerian veterinary undergraduate programs. Keywords: rectal examination, equine competency, skills gap, North East Nigeria, veterinary education.