Questions for Dr Fapohunda
1. You emerged as the overall best candidate at the Part II FMCP Internal Medicine examination and won multiple awards. At what point did you realise you were aiming not just to pass, but to truly excel?
For every examination I did in my conscious adult life, my aim is usually to do my best. To me, “passing”, “excelling”, are basically just words that mean the same. So, whether it was medical school exam, fellowship exam or any other type of exam, I approach it to give my best by preparing thoroughly, relying on God’s grace and simply wait for the outcome.
To be candid, my performance in examinations throughout my conscious adult life has never been a reflection of only the few weeks or months immediately preceding each examination. Rather, it represents a cumulative assessment of the sustained effort, discipline, and commitment I have invested throughout the entire duration of my residency training.
2. In your own journey, how important was self-assessment and being honest with yourself about your weaknesses during preparation for the Part II examination?
self-assessment is very important and when it comes to the examinations that is meant to test knowledge and skills acquired over time – like the FMCP exam that covers the length and breadth of residency training, expanding over a duration of 6 to 8 years. For me, the preparation of this examination starts from the beginning of the training up until the course of the exams. So, during the course of these years, theres always self-assessment and oppurtunities to address weakness. Hence the biggest way to addressing weakness in my opinion is by asking for help from colleagues – senior colleagues, peers and even junior colleagues – because no man is an island.
in residency training, there are a lot of knowledge and information required during the course of the program, of which most of these acquired are self-directed. A lot of these knowledge is self-directed, But there is an important role of learning from other from superiors, peers and junior colleagues as well.
2.Medical training is inherently intense, both physically and mentally. Remaining grounded during this period has therefore required intentional effort. I am deeply committed to acquiring the requisite clinical skills and knowledge while also prioritizing my mental well-being. To achieve this balance, I deliberately engage in activities that allow me to disconnect completely from academic and clinical responsibilities. These periods of rest and relaxation, combined with strong support from family and friends, have been essential to maintaining resilience.
I consistently remind junior residents that residency training is not a solitary journey. Within my department, the support system comprising senior colleagues, trainers, consultants, peers, and junior colleagues has been invaluable. Our daily professional interactions foster an environment where challenges are openly discussed and assistance is readily available. Knowing that support is accessible has enabled me to seek help promptly when faced with difficulties, rather than attempting to manage challenges in isolation. This collective support structure has been fundamental to my ability to remain grounded throughout my training.
3. The Part II FMCP exam tests not just knowledge but clinical judgment and discipline. How did you train your mind to think clearly and systematically under pressure, especially in the Nigerian health system with all its peculiar challenges?
Yes, the fellowship exams test a lot of things including knowledege, skills, clincal jugement, ethic, discipline. Trainng my mind occured over time, because the residency program takes a couple of year and learning continues, building of knowledge and experience over the course of this time continues… so i do not think the peculiarities of the Nigerian health system per say has any real negative impact on acquiring all that is needed for the residency training … becaue residency training is tailored to your environment… and the exams are local – based on the training, requiremerts and tools available in our environmnt, for me, i believe my training instirtution which is LASUTH has its own peculiarities and challenges but its well suited and positioned to actually provide a robust residency training. for me, i cannot really perceive any challenges because my training institution was able to provide the necessary raw materials needed for a robust residency trainig prog.
think clearly and systematically under pressure is what we’ve had to do constantly, considering our own peculiar environment where usually there is limited resources and sometimes due to the weak health sytem. this si something we’ve acquired over time from the moment we enter into residency training, that eventually shapes the content and ultimately the depth of our training. so i’d say my training institution contributed substantially to the quality of my training, in terms of applying the knowledge and skills to/in day-to-day practice, clinical judgement and discipline. My training institution was a good advantage
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3.One of the most significant factors contributing to my success during residency has been mentorship. Residency training in Nigeria is structured into two phases: the junior residency, during which trainees rotate through the various subspecialties of internal medicine, and the senior residency, where one sub-specializes while assuming more advanced clinical responsibilities.
During my junior residency, I benefited immensely from mentorship provided by senior residents and consultants who were approachable, supportive, and willing to share their expertise. Regular departmental meetings and daily clinical interactions created multiple opportunities for guidance, skill transfer, and professional development. Peer mentorship was equally important. Our cohort initially consisted of nine residents, later reducing to six or seven, and we functioned as a close-knit unit—sharing learning resources, discussing clinical cases, and supporting one another academically and emotionally.
Due to maternity leave and the COVID-19 pandemic, I did not sit for my Part I examination concurrently with my peers, resulting in a delay of approximately one year. However, this gap did not translate into a loss of support. Despite having progressed to senior residency, my colleagues remained actively involved in my preparation, reinforcing the fluid and collaborative nature of mentorship within our department.
As I transitioned into senior residency and subspecialty training in respiratory medicine, mentorship became even more structured and impactful. I was privileged to be mentored by Professor Olufunke Adeyeye, Professor of Medicine, who provided consistent guidance from my junior residency through subspecialization. Her mentorship extended beyond clinical training to include professional networking, access to essential resources, and exposure to global best practices in respiratory medicine.
Through this mentorship, I gained access to local and international professional networks across Africa and Europe, which significantly enhanced the quality of my training. Medicine is a global discipline grounded in science, art, and humanity, with continuous advancements in knowledge. A strong mentor facilitates access to these evolving resources while also helping trainees contextualize their practice within local healthcare realities. My training at LASUTH provided this balance—global exposure combined with practical insight into resource-limited settings—without ever prompting thoughts of abandoning local training for relocation.
4. Looking back, what personal values or habits do you think played the biggest role in shaping your performance at the examination?
4.My involvement in professional organizations was similarly intentional and strategic. I joined organizations aligned with my subspecialty interests to gain access to educational resources, research updates, and global professional networks. With the support of my mentor, I became a member of several respiratory and thoracic societies at regional, Pan-African, and European levels. These organizations provided critical access to guidelines, data, and training resources that are often limited in low-resource settings.
5. What tools did you use to achieve these, or what tools are available to utilise towards achieving excellence and making the entire process through training, research and exam? (you can rephrase this)
5. Medical training can be intense and demanding. Were there moments you felt stretched physically or emotionally, and how did you stay grounded during that period?
5.At the national level, participation in the Nigerian Thoracic Society and multidisciplinary collaborations with respiratory physiotherapists, nurses, and other specialists enriched my professional exposure. These engagements facilitated interaction with experts across different regions, enhancing both the depth and breadth of my training.
6. Support systems matter a lot in postgraduate training. How did mentorship, colleagues and the training structure at LASUTH influence your growth and eventual success?
6.During residency, I consciously limited involvement in administrative leadership roles within professional organizations, recognizing the demanding nature of residency training and the importance of prioritizing clinical competence and academic growth. However, I served as Chief Resident for two years, a role that strengthened my leadership, administrative, and management skills. Outside this role, my participation in professional organizations remained largely academic and observational.
7. Knowing you were also active in a couple of professional organisations, how did this contribute to your success and how were you able to balance your multiple roles in this organisations with training and exams? (you can rephrase this)
7. Beyond reading textbooks and guidelines, how did day to day clinical work contribute to your confidence and performance during the examination?
7.To become an expert in any medical discipline, one must remain open-minded, continuously seek knowledge, and acquire comprehensive skills. I strongly emphasize the importance of studying standard textbooks, international peer-reviewed literature, and clinical guidelines—principles I now impart to medical students under my supervision. While medical knowledge continues to evolve, foundational principles such as anatomy, pathophysiology, and disease mechanisms remain constant. Guidelines synthesize evolving evidence and are critical for accurate diagnosis and management.
Equally important is day-to-day clinical practice. Residency training bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application. The high patient volume at LASUTH, though demanding, significantly enriched my clinical experience. Exposure to a wide range of common, uncommon, and complex cases ensured that theoretical knowledge was consistently reinforced through practice. In procedural training, where certification often requires exposure to a defined number of cases, this high case volume proved to be a major advantage, substantially contributing to the robustness and quality of my training.
8. Is there any memorable experience during your entire training or exam period, that reinforces correction, active listening, collaboration or any core values/skills needed to thrive in the medical space? (you can rephrase this)
8. Excellence often comes from constant review and correction. How did you evaluate your progress while studying, and when did you know it was time to adjust your strategy?
8.Residency training is shaped by numerous experiences rather than a single defining moment. While there may not be one outstanding event, several encounters collectively influence professional growth. One particularly impactful experience occurred during preparation for senior registrar examinations, which require completion and presentation of a research project before eligibility for fellowship examinations.
After completing data collection, cleaning, and analysis, my mentor demonstrated exceptional commitment by personally assisting with data coding throughout an entire clinic day. This act went beyond routine supervision and reflected profound dedication to mentorship. The experience left a lasting impression and reinforced the responsibility to honour mentorship through excellence and commitment. As I advance into mentorship roles myself, this experience continues to shape my approach, emphasizing visible, practical support within mentor–mentee relationships.
Excellence in residency training is rooted in continuous review and deliberate learning strategies. Understanding personal learning styles is critical. My approach involved early acquisition of the training curriculum, ensuring that each posting aligned with targeted knowledge and skill acquisition. This deliberate engagement allowed learning to be reinforced through daily clinical application rather than last-minute examination preparation.
Residency training demands resilience due to heavy workloads and extended working hours. Leveraging available resources, including mobile-friendly educational materials and international guidelines, enabled consistent learning despite time constraints. Studying within the context of clinical postings strengthened retention and recall during examinations.
9. Now that you have gone through this process successfully, how has the experience reshaped your outlook on learning, leadership and responsibility in medicine?
9.Beyond clinical expertise, residency training also fosters leadership, management, and ethical competencies. Structured teaching on clinical governance, leadership, and administration equips trainees to function effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare systems. The responsibility ultimately lies with the individual to apply these competencies in daily practice.
10. For doctors currently preparing for Part II FMCP or similar postgraduate exams, what practical advice would you give them about preparation, resilience and self belief?
10. For residents preparing for postgraduate examinations, it is essential to approach residency as a structured educational journey. Familiarity with the curriculum, consistent study routines, resilience, and responsible utilization of global resources are key determinants of success. The goal is not to outperform others but to become the best version of oneself, delivering optimal patient care and professional excellence.
Ultimately, examinations serve as validation of acquired knowledge and skills, but clinical practice extends beyond academics. Medicine demands dedication, compassion, and continuous self-improvement to positively impact patient outcomes and healthcare systems.
