UKZN’s Psychiatry Discipline is serious about cultivating caring, compassionate and competent specialists who will effectively help people with mental health disorders in their journey towards recovery.
This is according to its Chief Specialist and Head of Department, Professor Bonga Chiliza, who shared that the Discipline recently held a stimulating weekend-long camp at Sica’s Guesthouse. The weekend equipped 20 of its registrars to excel academically, improve leadership skills and form part of a professional body that employs an interdisciplinary approach when treating patients.
Dr Precious Dimba, a Registrar Representative who was part of the camp’s organising committee, said the interactive sessions included teaching sessions, where they covered some forensic psychiatry and neuropsychiatry topics, as well as discussions around personality disorders and schizophrenia. The facilitators were from UKZN, Stellenbosch University and Wits University.
‘The complex case presentation was definitely one of the highlights. Since the case was multi-layered, the discussion was also quite rich and interesting. Our team of panellists also helped us identify the important discussion points in the case, thereby making it easier to make sense of it. The case also reminded us that patients with psychiatric problems can also have medical issues, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach to patient care,’ said Dimba.
She said one of the things she loves about psychiatry is that as a healthcare provider, you have a unique opportunity to get to know a patient very well – beyond their current presenting complaint. ‘You get to know the person behind the patient, as well as their life story. Psychiatry also gives us the privilege to assist people when they are most vulnerable. Mental health issues are not only difficult but also highly stigmatised. To walk with someone through that difficult journey is a huge privilege. In addition, my interests in mental wellness, as well as struggles and testimonies of those close to me also helped lead me to psychiatry as a speciality.’
Dimba obtained her MBChB from the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Mental Health from Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and joined UKZN as a registrar. She said she looks forward to passing her Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa exam and plans to do more mental health advocacy work.
Dimba said outside of psychiatry and the constant stress of the registrar programme, outdoor activities are amongst her favourite things to do. ‘These include hiking, trail running, mountain biking. I am also a gym enthusiast, and I always try to find some time in my day to go to the gym. When I am not outside, I am indoors, watching a movie, reading a book or cooking.’
The committee received great feedback from the registrars regarding the camp, which was fully sponsored by Indian multinational pharmaceutical company, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.
Chiliza said: ‘The weekend was an outstanding success. It was a response to the post-COVID slump where many registrars were so used to engaging with our academic programmes from the comfort of their homes, that they had forgotten how great it is to learn together in one seminar room. Learning is enhanced by learning from each other and having fun together. I am looking forward to a much more vibrant, cohesive registrar body.
Words: Lunga Memela
