ISSN 2736-1608
International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2021. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Medical certification of death and indications for medico-legal autopsies: The need for inclusion in continue medical education in Nigeria
Izegbu, M. C.1*, Agboola, A. O. J.2, Shittu, L. A. J.1 and Akiode, O.3
1Department of Morbid Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine, (LASUCOM) P.M.B. 21266 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
2 Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine, (LASUCOM) P.M.B 21266 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. 3Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital P.M.B.2001 Sagamu, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Accepted 12 February, 2021
Abstract
A study of medical doctor’s attitude to filling of the death certificate was carried out by administrating questionnaire to medical doctors at a national conference which was attended by 300 doctors. Out of this, 114 of them responded with 111 being males and 3 females. Results show that 50% of the respondents had practiced for 6 - 15 years and 71% of them never had training in filling of the death certificate. 55% of the doctors were exposed to death certificate at the post- graduate level. The registrars (resident doctors) filled death certificate in 44.71% of cases. Only 2.63% of the doctors were able to list more than 7 reasons for medico -legal post mortem examination while 29% of them were correct in knowing the cause of death of the clinical case provided. This study has strongly supported the need to include formal training on death certificate completion and indications for medico-legal autopsies as part of continue Medical Education in Nigeria.
Key words: Death certification, continue medical education, coroners (medico-legal autopsies), Medical doctors, Nigeria.