Korede comes from a medical background in Nigeria. She is part of the 2021-2022 cohort for the MSc in Digital Health.

 

 

Why did you decide to study in the UK?

I decided to study in the UK because the country has been a hub for technological advancements in the health sector globally. The Digital Health space is a relatively new aspect in technology and the UK is advocating technology advancement in the health sector.

What made you pick the University of Bristol, and why did you choose the MSc in Digital Health?

I have always been interested in helping people. I initially wanted to study Public Health for my masters. However, having seen the limitations of hospital-based practice in low and middle income countries and experienced first-hand how technology could address some of these problems, I decided to look out for a course that did not focus solely on public health. I came across this inter-disciplinary programme that offers solutions to delivery and management of public healthcare and much more using technology. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic was a pointer that there is more to healthcare delivery than hospital-based practice and care.

The University of Bristol has a reputation of providing a world-class learning environment with top-notch research.

What is your background?

I studied Medicine and Surgery for my first degree at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. After graduation, I worked as a doctor for a couple of years in government hospitals then moved on to work as a GP for a health technology company. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I was part of the COVID-response team (in charge of virtual consultations) in the epi-centre in Nigeria. During my time with the company, I was exposed to teleconsultation and telemonitoring using mobile applications and IoT devices.

How did you find the application process?

The application process was fairly straightforward. However, I grew a bit nervous when I got an invite for an interview on Zoom because I had never had an academic interview in the past. The interview turned out to be enlightening as I got to learn a bit more about what to expect during the course of the programme.

What are you enjoying most about the programme so far?

The most enjoyable part of the programme so far has been the people I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with. I have course mates from different ethnic and educational backgrounds and it has been a pleasure working with them. Also I am learning new things, like computer programming, MATLAB and biosensing, that I would never have had the opportunity to learn without this course. I really enjoy the course in responsible innovation and research methods as it points to ethical issues I was not aware of in digital health. The lecturers and teaching assistants are super helpful.

What do you plan to go onto after the MSc, and what are your future career aspirations?

My aspiration is to work both in clinical medicine and in the health technology space. I would like to work with an organisation in the health technology sector that focuses on research or exploring technologies to simplify the delivery of healthcare to underserved communities and third world countries. I am also interested in exploring the ethics involved in development and usage of health applications and devices, so, a PhD may come up later. I am very keen on academia.

How are you enjoying life in the UK/Bristol? 

It has been great so far. I enjoy working out in the gym and I love the fact that it is open 24 hours. I like that there are loads of places to explore like museums, the zoo and boats/ boat rides. I am fascinated by the Victorian architecture of the University buildings and Bristol in general.

What would you say to somebody considering applying to the MSc in Digital Health at Bristol?

I would tell anyone considering the programme to be prepared to have fun but to keep an open mind as they will be exposed to a field of study that their educational background may have only partly, or never, prepared them for. There are loads of things to learn within a year so they may sometimes feel slightly overwhelmed.