A Sociology Major's Journey in Healthcare Research

As an intern entering a healthcare-focused project with a degree in Sociology, my journey was anything but conventional. The realization that there was no predefined career path for Sociology graduates left me initially feeling adrift and uncertain about my role in the qualitative study of the PTEC-HT programme—a remote blood pressure monitoring initiative implemented in polyclinics.

What fascinated me most during my internship was the opportunity to witness the theories and concepts from my Sociology major come to life in a healthcare context. Each interview became a collaborative learning process, where discussions with my supervisor, Shilpa, and fellow intern, Ying Ting, allowed me to adapt and modify questions, shifting from a third-person perspective found in research papers to a first-person involvement in the research process.

This endeavour exposed me to a diverse group of individuals across various organizational levels. This diversity became a source of strength, adding richness to the research process by providing a comprehensive view of the problems at hand and how different people in different positions perceived and adapted to them.

While the rapid qualitative data collection through phone interviews was initially daunting, it proved to be an incredibly fulfilling experience. It was during this phase that I realized the importance of integrating information from in-depth interviews with both the programme implementers and patients. This approach enabled us to construct a comprehensive picture of the programme's impact, especially considering that we are doing the research as part of MOHT and may have potential unknown biases.

The internship also honed my communication skills, especially when dealing with patients who may not have been entirely willing or pleased to discuss their experiences. Patience, understanding, and empathy became my guiding principles as I aimed to elicit valuable insights from them.

In addition to conducting interviews, part of my work scope involved reading papers related to the qualitative study we are conducting. This allowed me to provide helpful information and evidence for use in the manuscript at a later stage. It also enabled us to note valuable points from these studies during our qualitative interviews.

My internship experience opened my eyes to the common challenges faced in the healthcare sector, such as manpower shortages and the integration of technology. I began to appreciate the complexities of this field and the crucial role that research plays in addressing these issues.

In conclusion, my internship in the healthcare sector was a transformative journey. Overcoming initial doubts about my ability to contribute effectively, I now leave with a newfound appreciation for the value of diversity in research and the critical role that Sociology plays in understanding and improving complex systems, such as healthcare. This internship has undoubtedly shaped my career aspirations and instilled in me a sense of purpose in contributing to the betterment of healthcare practices.

FPC team