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A Survey of Nigerian Family Physicians’ Views on the Fundamental Assumptions of Andragogy

Received: 28 August 2016    Accepted: 8 September 2016    Published: 30 September 2016
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Abstract

Adult learning (andragogy) theory is fundamental to all aspects of health professional education. Physicians have varying beliefs and perceptions of these fundamental assumptions. This study was designed to ascertain the views of Nigerian family physicians regarding the fundamental assumptions of andragogy. A cross sectional survey of all family physicians, specialists and those in training, in Jos, North central Nigeria was carried out using a brief, self-administered questionnaire. There was a 76% response rate. Respondents were mostly male (76.8%) with a mean age of 40.6±6.99 years. They had a mean number of years in practice 12.55±6.37, median 11 years (range 2-31). Most (64.3%) were residents and majority (71.1%) were involved in medical teaching. Majority (89.3%) agreed with the fundamental assumption of andragogy that “adults have accumulated a great deal of experience, which is a rich resource for learning.” The least agreement (49.1%) was for the fundamental assumption that adults are problem-centered. Similarly, the highest (25%) overall disagreement was the assumption that adults are more interested in immediate, problem-centered approaches than in subject-centered ones. Multivariate analysis indicated that residents were almost five times more likely than Consultants to agree with the assumption that adults are problem-centered (OR 4.9, 95%CI 1.02-23.45, P=0.047). There were no significant predictors of agreement with the other fundamental assumptions on multivariate analysis. Family physicians, consultants more than residents, are more likely to disagree with the assumption that adults are problem-centered learners.

Published in Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care (Volume 2, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11
Page(s) 13-16
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Family Physicians, Andragogy, Adult Learning, Medical Education; Problem-Centered learning

References
[1] Knowles MS, Holton III EF, Swanson RA. The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development. 8th edition. Routledge. London & New York. 2014; 18-36.
[2] Greysen SR, Dovlo D, Olapade-Olaopa EO, Jacobs M, Sewankambo N and Mullan F. Medical education in sub-Saharan Africa: a literature review. Med Educ. 2011; 45 (10): 973-86.
[3] Nottidge TE. Self-directed learning: status of final year students and perceptions of faculty leadership in a Nigerian medical school: a mixed analysis study (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University). 2014.
[4] McCarthy P, Bethune C, Fitzgerald S, Graham W, Asghari S, Heeley T and Godwin M. Curriculum development of 6for6: Longitudinal research skills program for rural and remote family physicians. Can Fam Physician 2016; 62: e89-95.
[5] Arogundade RA. Adult Learning Principles for Effective Teaching in Radiology Programmes: A Review of the Literature. WAJM 2011; 30 (1): 3–10.
[6] Koons, DC. Applying Adult Learning Theory to Improve Medical Education. UCHC Graduate School. Masters Theses 2003-2010. 2004. Paper 51.
[7] Ajuwon GA, Popoola SO. Influence of motivational factors on utilisation of Internet health information resources by resident doctors in Nigeria. The Electronic Library. 2015; 33 (1): 103-19.
[8] Sadler GR, Plovnick M, Snope FC. Learning styles and teaching implications. J Med Educ. 1978; 53: 847-9.
[9] Kirkman S, Coughlin K, Kromrey K. Correlates of satisfaction and success in self-directed learning: relationships with school experience, course format and internet use. International Journal of Self-directed learning. 2007; 4 (1): 39-51.
[10] Payne SS, Rocks J, Schaffner B. Self-direction in learning and academic motivation development in undergraduate health profession students. International Journal of self-directed learning. 2014; 11 (1): 41-51.
[11] Salih M, Sembawa H, Baradwan S, Nuqali A. Self-directed learning readiness among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study. Sch Bull. 2016; 2 (1): 20-6.
[12] Taylor DC, Hamdy H. Adult learning theories: Implications for learning and teaching in medical education: AMEE Guide No. 83. Med Teach. 2013; 35 (11): e1561-72.
[13] Margalit AP, Glick SM, Benbassat J, Cohen A, Katz M. Promoting a biopsychosocial orientation in family practice: effect of two teaching programmes on the knowledge and attitudes of practicing primary care physicians. Med Teach. 2005; 27 (7): 613-8.
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  • APA Style

    Musa Dankyau. (2016). A Survey of Nigerian Family Physicians’ Views on the Fundamental Assumptions of Andragogy. Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care, 2(3), 13-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11

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    ACS Style

    Musa Dankyau. A Survey of Nigerian Family Physicians’ Views on the Fundamental Assumptions of Andragogy. J. Fam. Med. Health Care 2016, 2(3), 13-16. doi: 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11

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    AMA Style

    Musa Dankyau. A Survey of Nigerian Family Physicians’ Views on the Fundamental Assumptions of Andragogy. J Fam Med Health Care. 2016;2(3):13-16. doi: 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11,
      author = {Musa Dankyau},
      title = {A Survey of Nigerian Family Physicians’ Views on the Fundamental Assumptions of Andragogy},
      journal = {Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care},
      volume = {2},
      number = {3},
      pages = {13-16},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfmhc.20160203.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfmhc.20160203.11},
      abstract = {Adult learning (andragogy) theory is fundamental to all aspects of health professional education. Physicians have varying beliefs and perceptions of these fundamental assumptions. This study was designed to ascertain the views of Nigerian family physicians regarding the fundamental assumptions of andragogy. A cross sectional survey of all family physicians, specialists and those in training, in Jos, North central Nigeria was carried out using a brief, self-administered questionnaire. There was a 76% response rate. Respondents were mostly male (76.8%) with a mean age of 40.6±6.99 years. They had a mean number of years in practice 12.55±6.37, median 11 years (range 2-31). Most (64.3%) were residents and majority (71.1%) were involved in medical teaching. Majority (89.3%) agreed with the fundamental assumption of andragogy that “adults have accumulated a great deal of experience, which is a rich resource for learning.” The least agreement (49.1%) was for the fundamental assumption that adults are problem-centered. Similarly, the highest (25%) overall disagreement was the assumption that adults are more interested in immediate, problem-centered approaches than in subject-centered ones. Multivariate analysis indicated that residents were almost five times more likely than Consultants to agree with the assumption that adults are problem-centered (OR 4.9, 95%CI 1.02-23.45, P=0.047). There were no significant predictors of agreement with the other fundamental assumptions on multivariate analysis. Family physicians, consultants more than residents, are more likely to disagree with the assumption that adults are problem-centered learners.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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Author Information
  • Department of Family Medicine, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

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