THE BASIC TRAINING OF A MEDICAL DOCTOR: A perspective from Otorhinolaryngology

Abstract

How does the content and competencies of training in Otorhinolaryngology at the basic medical education level impact on the practice of the specialty and in the subsequent specialist training of Otorhinolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon? These are the focus and issues that this article addressed. 
This article examines the requirements for the basic training of a medical doctor, including assessing the prospective trainees’ motivations, the regulatory guidelines, especially the approved curriculum, and the effects these will have on the practice of Otolaryngology and the later impetus to choose the specialty as a preferred discipline for specialization.
The method adopted was to evaluate published documents on the subject matter and analyze them from personal experiences gained over decades of practicing and training medical students and residents in the sciences and art of otorhinolaryngology in the Nigerian health system. Recommendations for improving the outcomes were also made.