Continued Medical Education for Surgeons: Understanding Participation Trends in Pre-Conference Workshops at Nigerian Orthopedic Association General Meetings

Abstract

Background: Continued medical education (CME) is essential for sustaining the clinical competence of orthopedic surgeons, especially in rapidly evolving areas such as surgical technology and subspecialty techniques. This study aimed to describe the patterns of participation of orthopedic surgeons in pre-conference workshops at the 2024 Nigerian Orthopedic Association (NOA) Conference and to identify the factors influencing course selection. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among orthopedic surgeons at the 2024 NOA Conference using a structured questionnaire on demographics, subspecialty, workshop attendance, and reasons for participation. Data were summarized with frequencies and percentages. Results: Sixty-eight orthopaedic surgeons participated, mostly male (82.4%) and aged 41–50 years (47.1%). Consultants formed the largest group (67.6%). Spine (38.2%) and arthroplasty (19.1%) were the leading specialities. The pelvic and acetabular fracture fixation workshop had the highest attendance (55.9%), followed by scoliosis (33.8%). Course selection was mainly driven by relevance to practice (66.2%), while conflicting schedules (51.5%) and lack of relevance (35.3%) limited participation. Conclusion: CME participation among Nigerian orthopedic surgeons was primarily influenced by the practical relevance of workshops and the high burden of trauma-related conditions. Strategic scheduling, broader course offerings, and mitigation of structural barriers are needed to strengthen engagement and support balanced subspecialty development.