What It Would Take to Defeat the Inferiority Complex

By Aguwa Hope

Yes. We’ve all seen it, we’ve all felt it, and we’ve all heard it. Matter of fact, some people don’t even try to hide how “little” they think of not us, but the course of study most of us found ourselves in.

Two years ago, I’d spend hours researching my course of study. As a direct entry student, I even considered a transfer, anything to make me fit into the big boys and big girls medical field. The word “allied” in conjunction with medical students didn’t sit well with me at all.

I attended seminars and a series of online webinars just so it’d all make sense. Fast forward to today, I have developed what is safe to call “passion,” not because I don’t have a choice but because of the diversity and vast prospects that come with it.

The two key words I could deduce from the first part of this series were Hope and Improvement. Today, we refer to ourselves as BIG APSUL. And while we might not be as big in numbers or impact yet, we can notice two things: Hope and Improvement.

Despite it all, though, it’s still there, it still lingers—the inferiority complex. In my opinion, it shouldn’t even be there in the first place. But since it’s already a thing, we might as well discuss what it would take to defeat it.

For starters, we must redefine what Impact is. Not every impactful career is at the bedside or in close communication with a patient. Some people make a huge impact behind-the-scenes and I think that’s totally fine. The best part is that there are a lot of career prospects to choose from—it’s so diverse that you can get confused trying to pick one and stick with it.

But instead of looking at the spotlight, let’s be joyful in building the foundation. In understanding the ‘why’ behind the treatment. In researching and discovering a better drug because the last one killed too many people. In ensuring that the drug that enters the body is safe. This is why we are here, this is what we do, and this is how we make an impact.

Redefining impact is just the beginning. Regardless of how vast our prospects are, there’s a very important need to find clarity. The problem isn’t just in how people see us, but also how we see ourselves. I’ve seen and heard of people who came back to the spotlight courses.

While I am not in any position to judge, I believe that rewriting the narrative starts with us. Many of us do not feel proud because we do not see a ‘future’ - we are walking on a path that many have refused to map out for us. And so we need stories, we need exposure, and we need to be reminded that we’re not here by mistake. The more we understand the value of our training, the less we feel the need to compare.

In all these, we must remember that presence changes perception. We owe it to ourselves to show up as active contributors and not just passive observers. Come out and let your voices be heard - attend academic events, join committees, attend seminars, make your contributions, and let your voice count. It’s important not just for our sake, but for the sake of the people coming after us. We must make sure that the system isn’t the same when they get here. It’s not a one-person thing - it takes all of us to put in the effort and get the change we want to see.

So no, we’re not ‘just’ pharmacology students. We are the foundation of healthcare, and it’s high time we own that truth; that way, we silence the voice of inferiority for good.