Master of Digital Health Graduate Spotlight: Yu-Tzu Chang
| 3 Min Read
The rapid evolution of healthcare, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the importance of digital solutions in patient care. For Yu-Tzu Chang, an experienced occupational therapist and recent graduate of the Master of Digital Health course, this shift sparked an interest in how digital health can bridge gaps in accessibility and improve healthcare delivery. We caught up with Yu-Tzu to learn more about her goals to expand her skill set in the Master of Digital Health course and her goals for the future.
What motivated you to undertake the Master of Digital Health?
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the delivery of healthcare services and motivated me to explore supportive and practical methods for serving patients without environmental or distance constraints, and La Trobe’s Digital Health course aligned with my goals. Therefore, I decided to learn more about how digital health contributes to public health through innovative methods of healthcare delivery.
Please share a bit about yourself – what do you like to do in your free time?
I’m originally from Taiwan and have 8 years of experience in occupational therapy. I am a nature lover and in my free time I enjoy walking in nearby reserves, parks, and even taking the bus or train to explore the beautiful natural scenery in Melbourne.
Which subjects stood out to you, and what did you enjoy most about them?
Big Data and Health Analytics was the first subject I took in the course. It provided a broad view of digital health, helping me understand how it works and how it might influence the healthcare industry. Another subject I enjoyed was Communicating Digital Health, which offered a unique perspective on how social media and other communication tools interact with stakeholders in the healthcare industry.
What did you find most challenging about studying?
Learning new knowledge outside my background is quite challenging for me. I have an occupational therapy background, and although digital health is related to healthcare, it is a completely new concept for me to integrate with my experience in delivering care to patients. Expanding my skill set and bridging the gap between healthcare and digital innovation is an exciting opportunity that allows me to grow and find new ways to enhance patient care through technology.
How is the application of digital health in occupational therapy improving patient care?
Telehealth allows occupational therapists to assess patients’ environments in real time and provide recommendations that can be implemented immediately. By observing patients’ actual living conditions and challenges, therapists can deliver more effective and tailored interventions.
Can you describe an assignment or project from the course that helped you develop practical skills for the healthcare industry?
In the final assessment for the subject Trends in Digital Health, students were required to recommend the most appropriate digital health platform based on the problems identified. Through this assessment, I found that each telehealth platform has its specific functions and areas of focus. This understanding enabled me to recommend suitable platforms for patients while also broadening my knowledge of the treatment programs that can be provided using telehealth platforms.
Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?
I plan to apply what I have learned about digital health to my future workplace. Moreover, I would like to share this knowledge with my future colleagues and work together to improve the quality of healthcare services.
Learn more about La Trobe’s Master of Digital Health course or get in touch with our team of Enrolment Advisors via (+61 3) 9917 3009 or onlinecourses@latrobe.edu.au.