Exploring trauma surgeons' views on trauma care in Nigeria: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: In Nigeria, trauma care faces challenges due to high injury and death rates from road traffic accidents and violence. Improvements are underway, but gaps in service availability, training, and coordination persist, necessitating evidence-based interventions. Purpose: To evaluate trauma care practices in Nigeria, focusing on practitioners' perceptions of training, resources, and care quality to inform policy and practice enhancements. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with seven trauma surgeons across Nigeria, using semi-structured interviews and an Interpretive Description analysis approach, adhering to SRQR standards. Results: Analysis of interviews with seven Nigerian trauma surgeons highlighted a trauma care system burdened by high incidences of traffic-related injuries. Despite varying caseloads—from 20 cases per month to 65 weekly—common challenges included delayed care, leading to complications like infection and misaligned wound healing. Surgeons noted strengths in motivated staff and sub-specialization but stressed barriers such as underdeveloped prehospital care, financial constraints, and resource shortages, which hindered effective trauma management and outcomes. Conclusions: Effective trauma care in Nigeria is crucial and achievable through policy reforms, better resource distribution, and enhanced training. Systematic data collection and a national trauma care protocol are recommended to improve patient outcomes and guide future research and policymaking.

Keywords

• Trauma
• Prehospital care
• Health systems
• Health policy