Stephanie Efua Sobotie: “I want to help people who previously did not have access to high-quality medicine

Updated on October 10, 2024
real ef39c257 6d8c 4b90 a607 898a0187d3fe

One of the health challenges that remains relevant globally is the unequal accessibility of health care in urban and rural areas. According to the latest WHO World Health Statistics report, which presents data on health and related indicators for 195 countries, coverage of general practitioners and reproductive health services is significantly higher among the affluent in urban areas, while there is a widespread shortage of specialists in remote areas. These problems are common even in highly developed countries.

For example, according to a study by the American Heart Association News, one in five Americans lives in rural areas and faces a lack of access to quality health care, and there are about 30 specialist physicians for every 100,000 people in rural areas, compared with 263 specialists per 100,000 people in urban areas. The highest index score for access to services in remote areas, according to WHO, remains in Canada as of 2023, but even there, rural communities are having difficulty attracting and retaining family physicians in the long term. In order to ensure adequate access to health care in the province, the local presence of highly skilled, generalist family physicians who also specialize in surgery and women’s health is becoming critical.

In this respect, it is interesting to see private examples of doctors who deliberately choose this kind of work. For example, Dr. Stephanie Efua Sobotie’s experience includes professional activities in both Ghana and Canada, where, according to an international study in the journal Rural and Remote Health, the problem paradoxically remains almost equally relevant.

Stephanie Efua Sobotie is currently a Family Physician Obstetrician with a private practice at Bow Trail Medical Clinic in southwest Calgary, Alberta, Canada. As a primary care physician dedicated to building trusting relationships with patients, she provides comprehensive care throughout life, from “cradle to the grave,” addressing a variety of medical conditions and advocating for their overall well-being. Sobotie serves as a consultant to her peers in family medicine obstetrics.

She has hospital privileges where she provides obstetric care, performs deliveries including surgical ones, and works in the emergency department. She is also a clinical lecturer at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary and a clinical preceptor at Athabasca University. Dr. Stephanie Sobotie also serves as a Family Practice Assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, where she assesses the competence of her physician peers in family medicine practice.

real bc4c3e31 b3c9 499d 9d96 41d9eed34e5e

Stephanie’s professional choice, as a native of Ghana, was directly influenced by her close surroundings – she comes from a family of healthcare workers and felt the desire to follow in their footsteps from a young age, seeing the impact they had on their patients’ lives, especially the underprivileged. However, as a child, she also realized that although her relatives worked in healthcare, none of them were female physicians. It became her goal to break gender stereotypes and become the first female physician in her family. On this path, Stephanie was inspired by the example of several remarkable women from different countries and times.

“I look up to Dr. Mabel Ewurabena Aboah, the first female surgeon in Ghana to specialize in surgery, a male-dominated field of medicine,” recalls Soboti. “Her qualifications earned her recognition from the distinguished West African College of Surgeons as the first female general surgeon in Ghana and a position as a doctor for the national women’s soccer team, the Black Queens. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with this outstanding surgeon in the Ghana Health Service. I am also equal to Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD, 1831-1895: Dr. Crumpler is considered the first black woman in the United States to receive a medical degree. The third, Yvette Louise Boulos, MD, born in 1946, is a distinguished family physician who has dedicated her career to improving access to health care for low-income populations.”

These three legendary heroines shaped the fields in which Stephanie decided to establish herself as a professional and as an individual. Her goal became to combine scientific inquiry, practical work, expert status in a sought-after specialty, career ambitions, and charitable initiatives. But to fully realize each of these goals, she had to go through a long and difficult journey, first in Ghana, and then in Canada.

She received her education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences in Ghana. And, although she initially wanted to specialize in trauma and orthopedic surgery, she realized after her internship that she was drawn to the variety that family medicine offered, and wanted the ability to provide continuous care for patients throughout their lives, thereby having the greatest impact on their health. Therefore, in the end, Sobotie chose to specialize in family medicine with a particular focus on advanced obstetric surgical skills: her original interest in surgery remained.

As a result, Stephanie’s career path brought her to a level where she is most effective and in demand. She now works as a family physician-obstetrician with a private practice at Bow Trail Medical Clinic in southwest Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her vision of her mission has been fully supported by reality. Her professional efforts are focused on helping low-income people in remote areas with a wide range of problems, from general practice to gynecology.

One of Stephanie’s key professional interests is women’s health. She consults colleagues in family medicine on obstetric issues, provides obstetric care in hospitals, performs deliveries including surgery, and assists in the emergency department. She strives to pass on her theoretical knowledge and extensive experience to aspiring doctors as a clinical lecturer and clinical preceptor at specialized higher education institutions.

Over time, Sobotie became more certain not only of her specialty but also of its application. She strives to create comprehensive surgical programs, particularly focused on obstetrics, in underserved communities. She gained her first impressive and instructive experience in 2013 in her homeland. While working as the only physician practicing the full range of family medicine at Kuntanase Government Hospital, she established such a sustainable program, significantly improving the lives of women in the Ashanti region by reducing maternal mortality rates. Her dedication extended beyond Ghana as she also played a key role in re-establishing the obstetric program in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. This work helped pave the way for credentialing family physicians with advanced obstetric skills in the province. Continuing her mission, she established a women’s clinic in Calgary, Alberta, as an extension of Bow Trail Medical Clinic. This clinic aims to address the unique healthcare concerns women face throughout their lives, offering a far-reaching impact.

In practice, Stephanie has faced many challenging cases. Each of them not only tested and confirmed her professionalism but also prompted changes.

“One of the most challenging situations I faced early in my career occurred at Kuntanase Government Hospital. Within my first two months, a pregnant woman arrived with a confirmed ruptured ectopic pregnancy and internal bleeding. Our facility lacked a blood bank, and the closest option was 45 minutes away. The urgency of the situation demanded immediate action. After cross-matching the patient’s blood type, I made the critical decision to donate a unit of my own blood. Thankfully, with the donated blood, I was able to perform surgery and save her life. This experience highlighted a critical gap in resources. Determined to prevent similar situations, I spearheaded the establishment of a blood bank at the hospital. Ensuring a stocked blood bank became a priority, and it continues to serve the community today.”

High-risk, complicated deliveries that Stephanie had to handle at Kindersley District Hospital in Saskatchewan posed a threat to the baby’s life and required an emergency cesarean section. The team managed to save both the mother and the baby, primarily because Stephanie had conducted emergency drills for rapid and effective response just a week earlier. This confirmed the need for highly efficient, reliable teams, especially in places where resources may be limited, particularly in rural areas. Regular training and preparedness can make all the difference in life-or-death situations.

Another challenging situation Stephenie encountered at the same district hospital ended tragically and is remembered forever, but it also led to important conclusions. A patient suffering from depression could only access continuous care a week later, but unfortunately, during that time, he took his own life.

“This experience left an indelible mark on me. It ignited a passion within me to advocate for improved access to mental health support for patients. Since then, prioritizing collaboration with mental health and addiction services has become a cornerstone of my practice. I firmly believe that robust collaborations can bridge the gap in timely care and potentially save lives. This experience serves as a constant reminder of the importance of readily available mental health support, especially in rural communities.”

These and other challenging situations ultimately shaped Stephenie into an outstanding specialist and defined her practice to this day. In recognition of her high professional reputation, she received a Certificate of Added Competence in Obstetric Surgical Skills in 2019, awarded after a peer review of her contributions to Obstetrics within the context of family medicine practice. She has also been recognized with a 2024 Award of Recognition of Excellence by the Alberta College of Family Physicians as well as an Award of Excellence by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her contributions to family medicine.

However, her professional ambitions and drive for development couldn’t be limited to just practical activities and teaching. Sobotie is also drawn to science and regularly publishes articles, synthesizing and analyzing her experience and ideas. As a medical author, she’s fascinated by unraveling the complexities of human health and medicine. She aims to publish impactful research and translate discoveries into clear articles for both healthcare professionals and the public. Her focus is on various aspects of family medicine, including reproductive health, as well as different aspects of mental health and chronic pain.

“I particularly enjoy the variety in my work,” explains Sobotie, “from mental health consultations to performing emergency C-sections or advocating for the rights of patients choosing palliative care. However, I did not anticipate how emotionally challenging this profession could be. While I can’t say I have any regrets, I have faced challenges and setbacks that have shaped me as a person. These experiences have taught me valuable lessons about resilience and resourcefulness. Luckily, having good support from my medical team, friends, and family keeps me grounded and reminds me to prioritize self-care.”

Screenshot 2023 04 24 at 10.06.19 PM

Meet Abby, a passionate health product reviewer with years of experience in the field. Abby's love for health and wellness started at a young age, and she has made it her life mission to find the best products to help people achieve optimal health. She has a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and has worked in various health institutions as a Nutritionist. Her expertise in the field has made her a trusted voice in the health community. She regularly writes product reviews and provides nutrition tips, and advice that helps her followers make informed decisions about their health. In her free time, Jane enjoys exploring new hiking trails and trying new recipes in her kitchen to support her healthy lifestyle.