Wits programme guides trainee doctors to see patients as people, not just cases

John Perlman interviews Dr Anastasia Ugwuanyi, Coordinator of Community Oriented Primary Care at Wits Medical School, Hayley Laithwaite and Talisha Khelawon, first year students at Wits Medical School.

Listen below.

Prof. Shabir Madhi, Dean of Wits University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, has issued a powerful call to all students deployed at public health facilities: treat every patient with the utmost dignity, compassion, and respect.

This urgent plea comes in response to a viral video revealing the dire conditions in Johannesburg’s healthcare system and allegations of unprofessional conduct by some doctors and nurses.

RELATED: 'I laid in my faeces': Patient recalls dehumanising experience at 'Helen Joseph Circus Hospital'

Ugwuanyi elaborates that the new course, 'Person, Family, Community,' is a pioneering initiative designed to revolutionise the way trainee doctors engage with patients.

The course aims to shift their perspective, encouraging them to see individuals not just as medical cases or conditions but as vital members of families and communities.

"Face-to-face meeting with people in special spaces; people who represents the communities that they will serve in the future."

- Anastasia Ugwuanyi, Coordinator of Community Oriented Primary Care – Wits Medical School

Khelawon shares that, while he didn’t anticipate this course when he first entered the field of medicine, it has provided him with valuable opportunities to apply his knowledge in a practical setting.

He emphasises that one of the most significant insights he’s gained is that effective healthcare begins not with doctors or medications, but with meaningful interactions with people.

"I've really seen how we can change healthcare to be more focused on the social aspect, so that when we finally get to practice medicine, we can have less people in hospitals because we are engaging with the community and understanding their needs."

- Talisha Khelawon, first year student – Wits Medical School

Wits University has joined forces with Hotel Hope, a non-profit organisation committed to caring for abandoned children in Melville.

At present, 30 Wits medical students, including Laithwaite, are volunteering with Hotel Hope.

This collaboration is part of a broader initiative aimed at deepening their understanding of patients and their unique circumstances by adopting a people-first approach.

"A lot of it has looked quite similar to volunteer work, but it's in that process we've been asking questions and interviewing people and had opportunities to learn about what that will mean for our future practice."

- Hayley Laithwaite, first year student – Wits Medical School

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.