**Restoring Faith in Psychiatry: Insights from Dr. Chika Oriuwa’s Path**
In the dynamic and intricate realm of mental health care, trust is pivotal to the relationship between patients and providers. Dr. Chika Oriuwa, a psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto and author of the memoir *Unlike the Rest: A Doctor’s Story*, exemplifies this understanding. Through her advocacy, education, and personal experiences, Dr. Oriuwa illuminates ways to restore trust with patients facing crises while addressing the systemic inequities and biases prevalent in healthcare.
### **The Convergence of Empathy and Equity in Psychiatry**
In a recent episode of *The Podcast by KevinMD*, Dr. Oriuwa explored her article, “How a psychiatrist rebuilt trust with a patient in crisis,” offering insights from her discussions about racial disparities within psychiatric care. Although psychiatrists are trained to meet the mental health needs of individuals in crisis—such as psychosis, agitation, or trauma—the pathway to treatment is often marred by systemic biases. Research indicates that Black men, in particular, frequently face involuntary hospitalization, stringent medication regimes, and excessive sedation during psychiatric interventions.
Dr. Oriuwa emphasized the necessity of adopting a culturally aware and empathetic stance. In her re-enacted case study, a Nigerian patient experiencing psychosis arrived at the psychiatric emergency department with his son. Their evident distress highlighted anxieties over receiving fair treatment—a concern rooted in their racial identity. As a Black psychiatrist-in-training, Dr. Oriuwa not only tackled the clinical symptoms but also recognized the racial and cultural complexities at play, which was instrumental in rebuilding trust.
### **Approaches to Address Bias in Clinical Interactions**
Healthcare practitioners need to implement concrete measures to mitigate the impact of implicit biases on patient care. Dr. Oriuwa asserts that the journey towards addressing systemic inequities begins **before** entering the clinical environment. Below are some of her suggestions for promoting culturally sensitive and unbiased medical care:
1. **Perform Personal Bias Assessments**:
Medical professionals should consistently reflect on how unconscious biases might influence their judgments. Engaging in self-analysis during clinical conversations—such as examining physiological reactions during stressful exchanges—can help surface hidden fears or biases.
2. **Empower Patients by Acknowledging Emotions**:
Addressing agitation or anxiety with patients by articulating their feelings can help alleviate distress. A simple acknowledgment, such as, “I recognize that this is a daunting and distressing situation for you; what can I do to help you feel more comfortable?” can serve as an effective means to de-escalate tense situations.
3. **Pursue Education Beyond the Clinical Arena**:
In high-pressure environments, healthcare providers might succumb to ingrained biases. Continuous self-education—be it through workshops on racial health disparities or insightful literature—enables providers to adopt a comprehensive understanding. This ensures that cultural competence becomes a natural part of their practice.
4. **Trust as a Reciprocal Process**:
When cultural nuances are significant, doctors must ensure that patients and their families feel their concerns are valued. Inviting feedback and involvement from a patient’s family member, as illustrated in Dr. Oriuwa’s narrative, promotes teamwork over tension.
### **Overcoming Challenges in Medical Education and Training**
Being the sole Black medical student in her University of Toronto class of 2016, Dr. Oriuwa embarked on a formidable journey through medical education. Confronted with micro- and macro-aggressions—ranging from colleagues questioning her academic abilities to blatant online racism—she navigated environments that often lacked inclusive design. Witnessing this pronounced diversity gap propelled her advocacy for equitable admissions and reforms in medical curriculum.
Her initiatives, along with supportive colleagues, fostered the establishment of the **Black Student Application Program (BSAP)** at the University of Toronto, significantly enhancing the representation of Black medical students. Such programs illustrate that meaningful change is achievable when institutions acknowledge and work to rectify representation deficiencies.
Furthermore, Dr. Oriuwa points out that her residency program has integrated educational strategies geared towards dismantling systemic biases. Training at U of T now includes simulations, lectures, and discussions on racial equity, guiding future healthcare professionals towards more just practices.
### **A Memoir Serving as a Catalyst for Change**
*Unlike the Rest: A Doctor’s Story* transcends a mere personal narrative; it encapsulates the larger societal forces that influence healthcare. Dr. Oriuwa’s book explores her distinctive experiences as a second-generation Nigerian-Canadian navigating the challenges of medical school, her advocacy journey, and her commitment to psychiatry. Notably, the text reveals the demanding road to becoming a physician, detailing her academic achievements and the emotional and psychological trials she confronted throughout.
Her narrative highlights multifaceted themes, including identity, resilience, disordered eating, and mental health—illustrating the human aspects that constitute the