Emerging Trends in Nigeria’s Healthcare Job Market

Career Naija 13 min read

Last Updated on July 3, 2023

Introduction

Nigeria’s healthcare system has undergone several changes over the years, leaving much to be desired.

In recent years, the country has witnessed an increase in the demand for healthcare services, which has led to new trends in the healthcare job market.

The emerging trends in Nigeria’s healthcare job market are essential as they address the challenges facing the healthcare sector.

The demand for accessible and affordable healthcare services has created a gap that can be filled by emerging trends in the healthcare job market.

Technology and Healthcare

Technology has become a game changer in the healthcare industry.

The incorporation of technology in healthcare has brought about significant changes in the delivery of healthcare services.

The healthcare industry in Nigeria is not left out as technology has begun to play an essential role in the sector.

Incorporation of technology in healthcare

Electronic Medical Records (EMR): The use of EMR has contributed significantly to the efficient management of patients’ medical records.

This technology has replaced the traditional paper-based method of record keeping, which was time-consuming and inefficient.

EMR has made it possible for doctors and nurses to access their patients’ records at any time and from anywhere.
Telemedicine: This technology allows doctors to diagnose and treat patients remotely. The use of telemedicine has made it possible for patients in rural areas to access quality healthcare services.
Medical Devices: The use of medical devices like health monitors and wearables has made it possible for individuals to monitor their health status and detect health problems early.

Effects of Technology on the healthcare job market

The incorporation of technology in healthcare has not only improved the efficiency of healthcare services but has also created new job opportunities in the sector.

Here are some of the effects of technology on the healthcare job market in Nigeria:

Increased demand for IT Professionals: The healthcare industry requires professionals with IT skills to manage and maintain electronic medical records and other healthcare technologies.
New Job Titles: The use of technology in healthcare has created new job titles such as Telemedicine Specialist, EMR Specialist, and Medical Device Technician.
Increased Efficiency: The use of technology in healthcare has increased the efficiency of healthcare services, which has led to an increase in demand for healthcare professionals.

Examples of job opportunities and skills required

Here are some of the job opportunities and skills required in the healthcare industry in Nigeria as a result of the incorporation of technology:

EMR Specialist: The EMR Specialist is responsible for managing and maintaining electronic medical records. The skills required for this job include knowledge of EMR software and data management skills.
Telemedicine Specialist: The Telemedicine Specialist is responsible for providing remote healthcare services to patients. The skills required for this job include knowledge of telemedicine technology, excellent communication skills and the ability to diagnose and treat patients remotely.
Medical Device Technician: The Medical Device Technician is responsible for maintaining and repairing medical devices. The skills required for this job include knowledge of medical devices, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills.

In essence, the incorporation of technology in healthcare has brought about significant changes in the healthcare industry in Nigeria.

The use of technology has increased the efficiency of healthcare services and created new job opportunities in the sector.

Healthcare professionals in Nigeria need to acquire the necessary skills required to excel in the industry as technology continues to play a vital role in healthcare delivery.

Read: Dentistry: An Underrated Healthcare Profession in Nigeria

Shift to Preventive Care

The healthcare industry in Nigeria is shifting its focus towards preventive care, with an aim to reduce the burden of diseases on the population.

Preventive care involves educating people about healthy lifestyles, regular check-ups, and timely vaccinations.

This shift towards preventive care has several advantages and is creating many job opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Advantages of Preventive Care

Preventive care reduces the burden of diseases on the population. This means fewer people falling sick and fewer healthcare resources being utilized for treatment.
Preventive care helps to identify health problems early, making it easier to treat them effectively and at a lower cost.
Preventive care helps to improve the quality of life of people by promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.
Preventive care reduces healthcare costs for individuals, employers, and the government by reducing healthcare utilization.
Preventive care helps to prevent the spread of diseases, especially communicable diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

Job Opportunities in Preventive Care

The shift towards preventive care is creating many job opportunities in the healthcare sector. Some of the job opportunities in preventive care include:

Health Educators: Health educators are responsible for educating people about healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, and the importance of regular check-ups. They work in hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and schools.
Public Health Analysts: Public health analysts collect and analyze data to identify health trends and design programs that promote healthy behaviors. They work in government agencies and non-profit organizations.
Community Health Workers: Community health workers provide basic healthcare services, health education, and referrals to healthcare professionals. They work in rural and urban communities and are often the first point of contact for people seeking healthcare services.
Preventive Medicine Specialists: Preventive medicine specialists are responsible for developing and implementing programs that promote healthy behaviors, prevent diseases, and improve health outcomes. They work in hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Nutritionists: Nutritionists provide advice on healthy eating habits and develop diet plans based on individual needs. They work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other healthcare settings.

Skills Required for the Job

The job opportunities in preventive care require a wide range of skills. Some of the skills required for the job include:

Interpersonal skills: Healthcare professionals in preventive care need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues.
Problem-solving skills: Preventive care professionals need to be able to identify health problems, develop solutions, and implement programs that promote healthy behaviors and prevent diseases.
Critical thinking skills: Healthcare professionals in preventive care need to be able to analyze health data, identify trends, and design programs to improve health outcomes.
Research skills: Public health analysts and preventive medicine specialists need research skills to collect and analyze health data and develop evidence-based programs.
Organizational skills: Healthcare professionals in preventive care need to be able to manage their time, prioritize tasks, and work effectively as part of a team.

Basically, the shift towards preventive care in Nigeria’s healthcare industry is creating many job opportunities with a range of skills required.

Preventive care has several advantages not only in terms of reducing the burden of diseases on the population but also in terms of reducing healthcare costs, improving the quality of life of people, and preventing the spread of diseases.

It is an exciting time to be part of the healthcare industry in Nigeria, especially for those interested in preventive care.

Read: Spotlight on Psychiatry: Mental Health in Nigeria

Emerging Trends in Nigeria's Healthcare Job Market

Increased Focus on Mental Health

The healthcare industry in Nigeria is now placing more emphasis on mental health, and as a result, job opportunities in this area have increased significantly.

This trend is especially important because, historically, mental health has been stigmatized and ignored in Nigeria, and many people have not been able to access the mental healthcare they need.

By focusing more on mental health, the healthcare industry can address this issue and provide better care for those who need it.

Read: Role of Pharmacists in Nigeria’s Evolving Healthcare System

Importance of Focusing on Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and ignoring mental health can lead to serious consequences.

Mental illness can cause significant distress, impacting one’s ability to work, maintain relationships, and live a fulfilling life.

In addition, mental illness can lead to a higher risk of physical health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Focusing on mental health can help ensure that a person’s overall health is taken care of.

Job Opportunities in Mental Health

As Nigeria’s healthcare industry continues to focus on mental health, job opportunities are increasing in this area.

Mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, are in high demand.

In addition, healthcare facilities are looking for nurses, social workers, and other support staff with a background in mental health to help provide care for patients.

Due to the increasing demand for mental healthcare, there are many job opportunities available for those with the appropriate training and education.

Skills Required for the Job

Professionals working in mental healthcare in Nigeria need a range of skills and qualifications.

For example, psychologists and psychiatrists must have at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.

Nurses and social workers should possess a minimum diploma in nursing or social work.

In addition to formal education, mental health professionals require strong communication and interpersonal skills.

They must empathize with patients and demonstrate excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

The healthcare industry in Nigeria recognizes the importance of prioritizing mental health for better patient care.

Read: Nursing in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Career Guide

Collaborative Care

A collaborative care approach to healthcare involves a team of healthcare professionals working together to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients.

This approach recognizes that one healthcare professional alone may not have all the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the needs of complex patient cases.

Explanation of Collaborative Care

A team of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and others, collaborate to provide patient care.

This approach improves patient outcomes by assigning specific roles to each healthcare team member.

Collaborative care is implemented in primary care clinics, hospitals, and mental health centers to bridge healthcare gaps.

Job Opportunities Created by Collaborative Care

Collaborative care has created a number of job opportunities in the healthcare industry. These positions include:

Collaborative care coordinator – responsible for organizing and facilitating care between different healthcare providers
Behavioral health specialist – works to support patients with mental health concerns and coordinates care with other healthcare professionals
Pharmacist – provides medication management and education to patients and other healthcare professionals
Social worker – provides counseling and support services to patients and families, and assists with care coordination
Nurse care coordinator – works with patients to develop care plans and coordinates care between different healthcare providers

Skills Required for the Job

Jobs in collaborative care require specific skills and education. Some of the important skills needed for these positions include:

Communication skills – effective communication between healthcare providers is critical for collaborative care
Interpersonal skills – working as a team requires strong interpersonal skills
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills – caring for complex patients requires critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
Knowledge of electronic medical records and other healthcare technologies – the ability to utilize healthcare technologies is becoming increasingly important in collaborative care
Knowledge of specific disease states and medical conditions – healthcare providers must have specific knowledge regarding the medical conditions they are managing in order to provide effective care

Overall, collaborative care is an emerging trend in Nigeria’s healthcare job market that has created a variety of job opportunities.

This approach is changing how healthcare is delivered, with a focus on comprehensive, coordinated care.

As a result, healthcare providers with specific skills and knowledge are in high demand. By understanding the collaborative care approach and the skills required for these positions, healthcare professionals can position themselves for success in this growing field.