Assessing Physicians’ Awareness and Knowledge of Nuclear Medicine in a Nigerian Hospital

Since its establishment in 1971, nuclear medicine has undergone significant advancements, replacing obsolete medical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques with innovative radiotracers and methods. In the current clinical landscape, nuclear medicine offers valuable diagnostic and therapeutic solutions across various medical specialties, enhancing patient care and quality of life. Despite the increasing significance of nuclear medicine in diagnosis and treatment of various diseases worldwide, there remains a notable gap in the awareness and knowledge of physicians regarding its applications and benefits, particularly in Nigerian hospitals. Understanding and addressing the factors contributing to this lack of awareness and knowledge gaps are crucial for improving patient outcomes, enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery, and promoting the effective utilisation of nuclear medicine services in Nigerian healthcare settings. The study aimed to assess physicians’ awareness and knowledge of nuclear medicine in a Nigerian hospital and will potentially deliver valuable insights to support the ongoing professional development of physicians and improve the overall quality of healthcare services in Nigeria.  Objectives:  To evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge of nuclear medicine among physicians practicing in a Nigerian hospital.  To explore factors influencing physicians’ awareness and knowledge of nuclear medicine.  To propose potential interventions to enhance awareness and knowledge of nuclear medicine in a Nigerian hospital.  Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess physicians’ knowledge and awareness of nuclear medicine at Wuse General Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were gathered using a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed to licensed medical doctors from various specialties. The questionnaire, developed based on relevant literature and expert consultation, covered demographic details, knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nuclear medicine, awareness of available nuclear medicine services, and perceived challenges to the use of nuclear medicine. A purposive sampling method was employed to recruit clinicians actively involved in patient care, and the sample size of 80 clinicians was determined in relation to the hospital’s medical workforce. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Federal Capital Territory Health Research Ethics Committee as well as the hospital’s management, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data was recorded using an Excel spreadsheet and analysed with the statistical functions available in MS Excel. Descriptive statistics, i.e. frequencies and percentages, were computed to characterize the physicians’ awareness and knowledge of nuclear medicine at the research location. Inferential statistics was employed to assess associations between demographic variables (e.g. training and experience) and awareness/knowledge scores. This approach ensured a methodologically sound and ethically compliant investigation into the state of nuclear medicine awareness within a key Nigerian healthcare institution.