Leo Sher, M.D.

Today, we publish an interview with an eminent American Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Jess G. Fiedorowicz.

Jess G. Fiedorowicz, M.D., Ph.D. is Head and Chief of the Department of Mental Health at The Ottawa Hospital and a Professor and Tier 1 Clinical Research Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

 Leo Sher: What is the most important issue in contemporary psychiatry?

Jess G. Fiedorowicz: The most critical issue in contemporary psychiatry is the pervasive lack of equitable access to quality care. We must systematically reduce the numerous barriers—whether economic, geographical, cultural, or related to workforce shortages—and engage in sustained efforts to ensure timely and equitable mental healthcare across the globe.

Leo Sher: How do you see the future of psychiatry?

Jess G. Fiedorowicz: Psychiatry must secure its future by defining itself as the integrative medical specialty focused on mental health and behaviour.  My hope is the field continues to see itself as coming from the broad cloth of medicine, incorporating holistic health views and attending to our patients’ general medical needs.  To do this, psychiatry must avoid being pigeonholed either as a discipline focused on idiopathic conditions or one reduced solely to neurobiology.

Leo Sher: What needs to be done to improve psychological health and reduce suicide rates around the world?

Jess G. Fiedorowicz: A multifaceted approach is essential.  First, we need policymakers to attend more deliberately to addressing many of the social determinants of health, which also impact mental health.  We also must improve public health measures and ensure every community has access to treatment.  Ultimately, effective suicide prevention requires both population-wide measures and targeted interventions for high-risk groups.