Development and Content Validation of a Competency-Based Training Package for Traditional Bone Setters in Ondo State, Nigeria
This study developed and validated an eight-module, competency-based training package for traditional bone setters in Ondo State, Nigeria, which demonstrated excellent content validity and offers an evidence-based resource to improve fracture management and integrate traditional practitioners into the healthcare system.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
In many parts of Nigeria, when a person breaks a bone, the first person they call is not a doctor in a hospital, but a traditional bone setter. These practitioners are deeply woven into the fabric of their communities, offering care that is affordable, nearby, and culturally trusted. They have passed down their skills through generations, learning by watching and doing, often within their own families. While their dedication is undeniable, the way they learn and practice has rarely been checked against modern medical standards. Without a structured way to learn the latest safety rules, some of these healers might unknowingly use methods that lead to serious infections or permanent damage. The medical world has long recognized that ignoring these traditional healers is not an option; instead, the goal is to work with them, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern safety to protect patients.
This study, conducted in Ondo State, focused on creating a specific training program to help these traditional bone setters learn the most critical safety skills without losing the essence of their practice. The researchers did not simply write a textbook and hand it out. Instead, they started by listening. They spoke with thirty bone setters to understand exactly what they already knew and where they felt unsure. They found that while these practitioners were skilled at setting bones, many lacked clear knowledge about how to prevent infections, how to spot a broken bone that was getting worse, and when it was absolutely necessary to send a patient to a hospital. Using this information, along with global health guidelines and advice from medical experts, the team built a training package made of eight distinct lessons. These lessons covered everything from the basic structure of the body to how to clean wounds properly, how to wrap a limb safely, and how to communicate with hospitals. The training was designed to fit the way these adults learn best: through doing, watching, and solving real problems, rather than sitting in a classroom listening to lectures.
Before this training could be used in the real world, the researchers had to be sure it was actually good and accurate. They gathered a panel of ten experts to review every single part of the new training material. This group included four specialist surgeons who fix broken bones, three public health doctors who focus on preventing disease, and three senior trainers who already work with traditional bone setters. Each expert looked closely at the lessons, rating them on how relevant and clear they were. They asked questions like: Is this information correct? Is it easy to understand? Does it make sense for someone with this specific background? The experts gave their feedback, and the researchers made changes based on what they heard, such as simplifying the language used for record-keeping and adding more pictures to help explain complex ideas.
The result of this careful review was a training package that the experts agreed was excellent. The review process showed that the material was highly relevant and clear across all eight modules. The experts were particularly unanimous about the importance of the lessons on preventing infection and knowing when to refer a patient to a hospital, giving these sections the highest possible scores. Even the section on record-keeping, which received the lowest score among the group, was still rated as acceptable and was improved with simpler forms and examples. The overall assessment confirmed that the training package was ready to be used. It stands as a validated tool that respects the traditional role of the bone setter while introducing essential safety practices. By using this program, health officials and organizations can now offer a standardized way to teach these community healers, potentially reducing the number of patients who suffer from preventable complications and helping to build a stronger connection between traditional care and modern medicine.
Drowning in papers in your field?
Get daily digests of the most novel papers matching your research keywords — with technical summaries, in your language.