Medicine Plus: A Path to 10x Innovation in African Healthcare
“While medicine is to be your vocation, or calling, see to it that you also have an avocation… some intellectual pastime which may serve to keep you in touch with the world of art, of science, or of letters.” These words by Sir William Osler in 1899 resonate profoundly today, especially in the context of African healthcare. The challenges faced by our healthcare systems are enormous, and innovative solutions are desperately needed. One way to foster such innovation is by encouraging medical students to pursue concurrent education in non-medical fields. This interdisciplinary approach can equip future physicians with diverse skills and perspectives, enabling them to propose and implement ideas that improve care for everyone.
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Consider some of history’s most decorated scientists, such as Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. Newton, a Lucasian professor of mathematics at Cambridge University, pursued several other interests, including theology. It is even alleged that he wrote more on theology than on science, despite his groundbreaking contributions to the latter. Similarly, Albert Einstein, a Nobel Prize laureate known for his theories on relativity, was an avid violinist who found joy and inspiration in music. For physicians, such extracurricular pursuits hold numerous benefits, a few of which are explored in this op-ed.
The physician’s skill in approaching and solving clinical problems could be significantly enhanced through the pursuit of other interests. The way a physician thinks about and approaches a medical problem is different from the way an engineer does. This skewness in problem-solving methodology is a reflection of their training. However, an individual with diversified knowledge or exposure could view problems from various perspectives and would not be limited in their thinking.
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The pursuit of non-medical interests could be as life-saving as the medical training physicians receive. During my time as a national service personnel, I remember at least two instances during which surgeries were delayed because of equipment-related problems. As an engineer, I wondered whether there was an alternative to this recurring solution. I believe there is - if we can have our physicians think about their contributions to improving the reliability of medical equipment. This would require leveraging the unique experiences amassed during medical school, residency, and fellowship to design equipment that meets the needs of African health professionals. A notable example is Dr. John Adler, a Stanford neurosurgery professor who developed a frameless robotic radiosurgery system called the CyberKnife. His interdisciplinary approach led to significant advancements in non-invasive brain surgery, demonstrating the potential impact of combining medical expertise with engineering innovation. This is nothing new across the pond where for example SpaceX, hires medical doctors with a Master of Science degree in engineering. This starship medical engineers are responsible for the development of life support systems and medical equipment for spaceflight missions, particularly for long-duration space travel. Could we have physicians and medical professionals developing apps that facilitate patient referral, hospital payment, and scheduling in our very busy hospitals? I think so!
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Moreover, physicians could de-stress or reduce burnout by engaging in other interests. This is the message that Sir William Osler’s words sought to convey. These interests do not necessarily have to be as intellectually demanding as the medical profession. They could be hobbies or activities that refresh or invigorate the mind. Physicians could then return to their professions with renewed strength to tackle more problems. Eric Betzig, who won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, spoke about how taking a break from work to care for his children helped him come up with the idea for his Nobel Prize-winning research on super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. Taking some time off regular work could trigger reflections that could birth creative and innovative ideas or solutions.
There is a lot of interest in this type of possibilities and perhaps the best illustration of this is the Graduate Medical Entry Programme (GEMP). The GEMP, offered by institutions such as the University of Ghana Medical School, allows Bachelor degree holders to enter the medical program at an advanced level. Specifically, qualified candidates can join the third year of the MBChB degree, enabling them to complete their medical studies in just four years. By integrating their previous knowledge with medical training, these students can bring innovative perspectives and solutions to the healthcare field. Undergraduate medical students are equally interested in having similar experiences. I have interacted with fellow students who have strong interests in other fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and data science. Looking at artificial intelligence for example, it has already made a significant mark on medical practice. Africa cannot wait for its benefits to trickle down from the Western world. We must be proactive and intentional. In view of this, medical schools could form partnerships with other graduate schools to offer dual degrees that would be done concurrently with a slight decrease in training time. Interested persons who graduate from such programs could potentially be MBChB MEng; MBChB MPP; MBChB MBA; MBChB LLM; MBChB MPH; MBChB MPhil, etc.
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However, it is important to acknowledge the concerns of those who oppose concurrent medical training. Critics argue that medicine alone is already too difficult and that adding another field of study would be overwhelming for students. They also point out the added financial burden that such programs would entail, which could deter many from pursuing them. These are valid concerns. Medical training is indeed rigorous, and the financial cost of education is a significant consideration. However, the potential benefits of interdisciplinary education, such as enhanced problem-solving skills, reduced burnout, and increased versatility, can outweigh these challenges. Moreover, with proper planning and support, medical schools can design programs that integrate non-medical fields without significantly extending the duration of training or increasing costs excessively. Scholarships, grants, and flexible learning options could also help mitigate the financial burden.
To address these concerns and harness the potential benefits of interdisciplinary education, it is imperative that the University of Ghana, KNUST, and the University of Cape Coast collaborate to offer concurrent degrees across their graduate schools, not just within the same university. By coordinating these programs, they can create a more robust and diverse educational experience for students. Additionally, these institutions should actively seek partnerships with organizations like the Mastercard Foundation to secure funding for these concurrent programs. The design of these programs should aim to reduce the overall training time by at least one year, making them more accessible and less burdensome for students. Furthermore, graduates should be required to present a thesis that integrates knowledge from both fields, evaluated by a jury from both disciplines. This approach will ensure that the interdisciplinary education is both rigorous and relevant, ultimately fostering a new generation of innovative and versatile healthcare professionals ready to tackle Africa’s healthcare challenges.
“Africa’s healthcare system faces enormous challenges, and it is through such innovative approaches that we can hope to overcome them and improve care for everyone.”
In conclusion, the benefits of engaging in interests beyond medicine cannot be overstated. These pursuits enhance problem-solving, reduce burnout, and open doors to unique opportunities. Just as Sir William Osler encouraged his peers over a century ago, today’s physicians are similarly urged to explore beyond their professional boundaries for greater impact and fulfillment. Medical schools and policymakers should consider implementing interdisciplinary programs to cultivate a new generation of innovative and versatile healthcare professionals. Africa’s healthcare system faces enormous challenges, and it is through such innovative approaches that we can hope to overcome them and improve care for everyone.
