Online Student Experience

From online neophyte to respected informatician

One student's journey

When Fiona Stewart started an online diploma in Medical Informatics, she was a bundle of nerves. Not particularly knowledgeable of the ways of the internet in 2001 and not having studied for a number of years, Fiona had a lot of apprehension as she signed up for the course.

Fast forward to today, some years after her graduation with an MSc in Healthcare Informatics and you find a champion of the emerging field of informatics whose qualification have led her to new roles within the NHS in Scotland.from designing and developing the NHS Scotland Remote and Rural e-library and Managed Knowledge Network,  working with Health Boards to develop local Knowledge Management frameworks, to her current role as Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Workforce Manager with NHS Grampian.

"The informatics degree has proved to be an invaluable qualification. It helped me gain the confidence and respect of clinicians when I was working in multidisciplinary teams. It also meant I provided added value due to the breadth of knowledge I acquired during the course" says Fiona.

The experience of taking a degree online - as opposed to the traditional classroom setting also proved to be fruitful for Fiona. "I needed to be able to juggle my family and work responsibilities as well as get a qualification. The way the programme was structured really made it possible for me to do that. I could fit it around my life and study to my own timing".

Fiona also appreciated the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. "It really opens you up to new perspectives. The online discussions were fascinating as you learn how people in different countries tackle similar problems."

That breadth of knowledge Fiona believes is useful for employers. "As well as developing a wealth of knowledge, it helps to create out the box thinking and to make you more willing to innovate when designing a new system."

Fiona would have no hesitation in recommending online studies to those who are considering such an option. "It's never too late to learn," she says and adds "I really did get a lot out of it."

Fiona Stewart is currently working with NHS Grampian as Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Workforce Manager.

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