CLINICAL

Team-based care is an approach to healthcare delivery that aims to improve patient safety, streamline clinical workflows, and reduce clinical errors. While collaborative models are known to improve patient outcomes, their implementation in everyday practice can be limited by varied levels of awareness, traditional hospital hierarchies, and communication xvi gaps among healthcare professionals. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of team- based care among clinical staff in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among 418 clinical staff at UBTH, selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of team-based care principles, overall perception of interprofessional collaboration, and factors influencing its practical implementation. Knowledge and perception scores were categorized as good (≥50%) or poor (<50%). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used as appropriate. Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.84 ± 8.65 years, with the largest proportion (45.1%) in the 30–39 years age group. Most respondents (58.2%) were nurses, while 31.4% comprised doctors, pharmacists, and other clinical professionals. Overall, 88.5% of respondents had previously heard of team-based care, with clinical meetings and departmental seminars being the most common sources of information (54.0%). A total of 72.0% had good knowledge of team-based care frameworks, and 84.0% held a positive perception toward its practice. Professional cadre was significantly associated with knowledge (\chi^2 = 26.14, p < 0.001), and years of clinical work experience was also significantly associated with knowledge (\chi^2 = 8.45, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Although overall baseline knowledge of team-based care was moderate, with 72.0% of respondents demonstrating good knowledge, the majority of clinical staff held a positive perception toward interprofessional collaboration (84%). These findings suggest that xvii while readiness to adopt collaborative care is high among staff, practical execution faces systemic institutional challenges. Routine interprofessional training workshops, formalized hospital guidelines, and the early introduction of team-based modules in undergraduate medical and health curricula are recommended to improve collaborative healthcare delivery at UBTH. Keywords: Team-based care; knowledge; perception; clinical staff; interprofessional collaboration; UBTH; Nigeria.

Background: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, with an increasing incidence in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Early recognition and appropriate response to stroke symptoms are critical to improving outcomes. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a vital role in promoting stroke awareness and emergency response. Objective: This study assessed the level of knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, warning signs, and appropriate emergency responses among clinical undergraduate students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS), University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. A structured, self- administered questionnaire was distributed to 322 clinical undergraduates selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed a generally high level of stroke awareness among respondents. Most participants (94.1%) correctly identified the brain as the organ affected by stroke, and 98.4% recognized that stroke is preventable. Hypertension (77.0%), old age (73.3%), and diabetes were the most frequently identified risk factors. Paralysis of one side of the body (78.6%) and speech difficulty (77.3%) were the most recognized warning signs. A significant association existed between level of study and knowledge of stroke risk factors (p = 0.035) and between gender and planned response to stroke events (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Clinical undergraduates of the University of Benin demonstrated commendable theoretical knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, and warning signs. However, gaps remain in the understanding of lifestyle-related risk factors and practical emergency response.