When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 10:11 NIV

I think it would be good if certain things were said, it seems the Intern psychologists in Zimbabwe want to be medical doctors. Sometime during my internship in 2018 I learnt via a meeting that psychologists at Parirenyatwa Psychiatric Hospital annex unit had agreed on a concept of having a uniform as psychologists. The meeting informed me that the issue of having a uniform was already an agreed issue what was yet to be agreeable was on the color and design of the uniform. The vocalized issues by the interns was the need to be identified as staff in wards and main hospitals. I did not take this seriously since during my internship I did not have challenges to get my self-Identified. I thought that such issues can be addressed by just having a staff ID.

Currently the proponents of uniforms have settled for the white coat. The uniform at times gives the impression that the intern psychologists are indeed medical doctors. At various points often the patients refer to them as doctors. Whilst it is true that intern psychologists work in a multi-modal team which might include psychiatrists, medical doctors, pediatricians. The psychologist is not a medical doctor and posturing as one borders on dishonesty which defeats Ethical Principle C of the American Psychology Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct which speaks of Integrity, psychologists are to seek to promote accuracy, honesty and truthfulness. Psychologists in the same ethical principle do not engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. The same issue is covered in local ethical guidelines. Zimbabwe Psychology Association (ZPA) Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards under Code 3:03 Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements, psychologists are not to make false, deceptive, misleading statements, because of what they state or convey.

The approach of psychiatrists and medical doctors of focusing on diagnosis and dispensing medicine can be problematic if it permeates the practice of psychology. Focusing on diagnosis is known as the Left Directed Thinking in psychology and can be a very wrong approach if it becomes the standard for operation by psychology professionals. Carl Jung (1993, p. 117) states that, if we have been trained in approaches that seek to help with suffering by focusing on what is wrong, we are less familiar with looking for what might be right. Psychology professionals though they work with persons from a training that focuses on linear, logical thinking such as psychiatry and medical doctors, they should bear in mind that they are ‘doctors of the soul’ thus psychologists and they should focus more on understanding which is the Right Handed Directed Thinking, the reason being that client problems or symptoms are often interwoven with patient’s lives.

The temptation is always there to posture as medical doctors because of the prestige and social standing it gives and often its impact it has in satisfying egos. In conclusion we do better and best as psychologists both in our image and in the praxis of Mental Health.

Prosper K Mushauri

Counselling Psychologist