The Psychiatry Leadership Interviews... Professor Driss Moussaoui
The Psychiatry Leadership Interviews
Over the coming months current FMLM Clinical Fellows, Drs Dr Jen Perry (Royal College of Psychiatrists and St Andrew’s Healthcare), Dr Nicole Eady (Health Education England), Dr Marc Jeanneret (Care Quality Commission) and Dr Lucy Potter (BUPA) will be conducting a series of interviews with local, national and international leaders in psychiatry. The interviews will explore a variety of themes including the leaders’ reflections on their careers and their views on leadership in psychiatry.
These interviews will be published in the RCPsych newsletter and on the FMLM website.
Their first article is an interview undertaken by Jen and Nicole with Professor Driss Moussaoui.
Interview with Professor Driss Moussaoui
Professor Moussaoui is founder of the department of psychiatry in Casablanca. He has held a variety of international roles including director of a WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health and president of the World Association of Social Psychiatry. We interview him with a view to finding out more about his background, his career reflections and his views on leadership.
Tell us about your background
I studied medicine at the University of Rabat and went to Paris for my postgraduate training. At the age of 29 I founded the department of psychiatry in the University of Casablanca. It was difficult; I was the only psychiatrist in the public sector for 5 million inhabitants of 4 cities. We only had 55 beds and I had only 1 resident working with me.
I went on to form the ‘League for Mental Health’ to improve understanding of mental illness across Morocco. Generous benefactors donated money which enabled us to expand the department to its current size. We now have 100 residents and psychiatrists working in these 4 cities.
I worked with a variety of local organisations, including the media and NGOs who supported unmarried mothers, prisoners and the homeless. I also worked with international organisations. The Ibn Rushd University Psychiatric Centre is the only WHO collaborating centre in Morocco in clinical medicine. It is a centre of excellence which I am very proud of. I have held roles at the World Psychiatric Association, the World Association of Social Psychiatry and the International Federation of Psychotherapy.
The guiding principle was to open up our doors to the local community and internationally.
What has been your biggest achievement?
Personally- I have a wonderful family.
Professionally- Successfully campaigning for the National Epidemiological study to be undertaken in Morocco in 2007. The results demonstrated a very high level of psychiatric morbidity; it found that more than 40% of people in the country were suffering with a mental disorder. When these results came out mental health became a priority and this was a turning point for psychiatry in Morocco.
How has work impacted upon family life and vice versa?
When I married my wife I was already extremely busy, travelling a lot. She was always very understanding and supportive. With my kids, I tried to replace quantity with quality. For example when I was at home, I always took my kids to school and I tried as much as I could to be involved in family life.
What about the challenges?
In 1979 there were less than 10 psychiatrists in Morocco for 18 million people, now there are around 400. However there are still 14 provinces without any psychiatric institutions and this needs to change.
What have you learnt over the years?
- Have an open door policy-My principle was always: the door of my office is open to everybody. If someone is waiting to see me they should not have to wait more than 5 minutes and all were welcome. My assistant helped me well in managing the demand.
- Sleep well
- Work hard
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your career which you know now?
Each moment is different. There is no automatic solution to problems; even small problems can evolve into big difficulties.
When I became a chairman, I didn’t accept help from those who could have helped me. I had too much energy and wanted to do too many things. This was partly the impatience of youth and also in parts my personality.
What advice would you give to trainees?
The same advice I give my students:
- Read, write, speak English
- Master informatics
- Master statistics
- You can have personal ideas
Why is international leadership important in psychiatry?
International leadership means that you work with a good network, for good causes, serving the patients worldwide. It is important to have a good base (family) and a department which can work (momentarily) without you.
International leadership is necessary to enable good causes to go in the right direction. All that happens in the world impacts all of us, if I can do something to improve it then I will.
What are the qualities of good international leaders?
- Good communication skills
- Speak at least 3 languages
- Diplomatic skills
- Enjoy travelling
- Respect of other countries/cultures.
- Good family base
- Creativity
- Understanding that work serves friendship and vice versa
- Ability to build networks.
- Having clear principles and ethics