From Engineering and Telecommunications to Digital Health: how two Master of Digital Health graduates are transforming the future of healthcare
| 8 Min Read
Digital health is a fast-growing, in-demand industry. According to the Australian Digital Health Agency, over 118 million telehealth services were delivered to 18 million patients between 13 March 2020 and 31 July 2022. During the same period, more than 95,000 practitioners used telehealth services.1 Data like this points to large-scale industry transformation, and the online Master of Digital Health course from La Trobe University can help you qualify for careers that are leading this change.
Artika Kumari and Toyin Popoola are feeling prepared for the demands and challenges of digital health careers after graduating from the Master of Digital Health course. Kumari currently works as a digital health specialist and chief technology officer, while Popoola is a training manager in a healthcare organisation. Both offered valuable insights for prospective La Trobe students.
Advanced expertise to make an impact
Both Kumari and Popoola wanted to pursue a digital health degree because of the impact they could have on improving health outcomes. ‘Before entering the digital health field, I aspired to leverage technology to drive innovation in healthcare, enhance patient care, and improve healthcare systems’ efficiency. My background in computing and business intelligence equipped me with the technical skills, but I wanted to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare. I recognised that to make a significant impact in this rapidly evolving field, I needed to deepen my understanding of digital health standards, strategies and foundations. Since I realised the immense potential of technology to improve healthcare outcomes, I wanted to be at the forefront of this transformation,’ Kumari said.
For Popoola, the decision to enrol in the online Master of Digital Health course was about leveraging his engineering background to create innovative solutions using digital health approaches. ‘My engineering skills could have a wider impact if I could translate them into an area that affects daily life directly – healthcare. I wanted to see how applying technology to healthcare could transform lives. There are so many problems to solve. I told myself, why don’t you go back to school and specialise in an area that marries technology and healthcare? I did some research online and found that digital health was the thing that brings ICT and healthcare together,’ he said.
Why La Trobe University?
When choosing a digital health course, factors like flexibility and curriculum content were important for Kumari, and she found what she was looking for at La Trobe. ‘La Trobe’s Master of Digital Health offered a comprehensive curriculum that aligned perfectly with my goals. The focus on big data analytics, digital health standards, evolution into virtual care, interoperability and project or program management promised to provide the specialised knowledge and skills I needed. Additionally, the online format offered flexibility, allowing me to balance my studies with professional commitments, making it an ideal choice for advancing my career in digital health,’ she said.
Popoola wanted to enrol at a top-ranked university, and La Trobe offered academic excellence. La Trobe’s clinical, pre-clinical and health subjects are ranked in the world’s top 3002 and the university is ranked ‘above world standard’ for research in information systems.3 ‘I searched globally for a good program. I told myself that if I am going to make this big career transition from engineering to healthcare, I must do it at one of the top universities. I have family in Australia, and I found that La Trobe was one of the top universities there. La Trobe stood out for me because of the rating of the institution,’ he said.
Career-driven learning experiences
One of the essential features of La Trobe’s online digital health course is industry-connected learning. Both Kumari and Popoola benefited from real-world engagement opportunities while completing their studies. ‘Throughout the online Master of Digital health course, I had numerous opportunities to network and engage with professionals in the field. The digital health team at La Trobe University facilitated interactions with industry experts through guest lectures, webinars and online forums.
‘I also participated in virtual workshops and digital health festivals, where I connected with peers and professionals who shared insights and experiences in digital health. These engagements enriched my learning experience and expanded my professional network, providing valuable connections that have been instrumental in my career development,” Kumari said.
Popoola also shared his experience with volunteering during the program and how it led to real-world connections. “I eventually became a committee member in the Victoria branch of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH). I was a student representative on that committee, which gave me the opportunity to attend conferences and meet people like manufacturers, researchers and other people in the industry,’ he said.
These chances to engage with industry professionals gave Popoola confidence in his job search. “When you network, you have come out from your cocoon as a student and interact with people in the industry. When I was on a job interview and they were asking questions, the fact that I had already interfaced with industry people and could speak the language [was a benefit],’ he said.
A comprehensive curriculum
For Kumari and Popoola, the learning outcomes of the digital health course helped them prepare for the demands and trends of the job market. ‘The program emphasised critical areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual healthcare technologies and data interoperability, which are increasingly becoming a necessity in the healthcare industry,’ Kumari said.
She also noted that the Master of Digital Health course incorporated skills from multiple disciplines. ‘The focus on practical skills, such as using design thinking to produce digital health strategies or using predictive modelling to make insights into healthcare data, equipped me to address real-world challenges in digital health. Additionally, the course emphasised interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder management which prepared me to work effectively in diverse healthcare settings, meeting the industry’s evolving needs for skilled digital health professionals,’ she said.
Popoola emphasised how ready he felt to enter the digital health workforce after getting his degree. ‘The course prepared [us] for anything and everything. One of the areas was workforce development because in order for there to be an uptake of digital health technologies that are emerging, the workforce has to be prepared. If we’re not trained in how to help clinicians uptake digital health solutions, they won’t use them. What we were prepared for in the program was digital transformation – the design, development, implementation and management of contemporary digital health solutions,’ he said.
Skills for success
Students in the online Master of Digital Health course gain expertise that can be directly applied in the workplace. Kumari found that her classes aligned closely with her job responsibilities. ‘A prime example is my recent project involving the use of generative AI to automate manual business processes. The research methods I developed during my studies proved invaluable in planning and implementing this innovative solution. The program’s focus on strategising digital health standards and project management skills equipped me to lead initiatives and demonstrated my capability to handle complex digital health projects,’ she said.
Prepare to enter an in-demand industry
La Trobe’s online Master of Digital Health course offers a curriculum that prioritises career readiness through top-ranked academics, industry-specific skill development and opportunities to build professional connections. Kumari advises prospective students to take advantage of these features. ‘Fully embrace the course’s comprehensive curriculum and actively participate in all networking opportunities…Focus on gaining practical skills that are in high demand, such as virtual care technologies, digital health technologies and data interoperability,’ Kumari said.
The online class delivery is also ideal for prospective students who want to study while continuing to work. ‘Take advantage of the flexibility offered by the online format to balance studies with professional growth. By doing so, you will be well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the digital health job market and enhance your career opportunities significantly,’ she said.
Popoola emphasised the diverse professional opportunities available to digital health graduates. ‘I would advise any student and aspirant of digital health that now is the time to jump in. This is an emerging market that needs people who have the specific training [for roles] at the entry level and even in management. If you’ve had some experience before and then you have a Masters in Digital Health…there are needs everywhere,’ he said.
Future-focused digital health education
Our online Master of Digital Health course was developed in partnership with industry leaders and delivers the skills you need to pursue careers creating and empowering innovation in healthcare. It is also designed to align with the AIDH’s health informatics competency framework.4 As a student, you’ll benefit from a customisable course structure with specialisations in advanced practice or applied research and elective subjects that align with your professional interests.
You can learn more about La Trobe’s online Master of Digital Health by contacting our team of Enrolment Advisors via (+61 3) 9917 3009 or onlinecourses@latrobe.edu.au.
Sources
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Digital health. Retrieved 02 August 2024 from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/digital-health.
- Times Higher Education. Global University Rankings. La Trobe University. Retrieved 05 August 2024 from https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/la-trobe-university.
- Australia Research Council. ERA Outcomes. La Trobe University. Retrieved 05 August 2024 from https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/ERA/Web/Outcomes#/institution/LTU.
- Australian Institute of Digital Health. Australian Health Informatics Competency Framework. 2022. Retrieved 06 August 2024 from https://digitalhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/AHICFCompetencyFramework.pdf.