Statement of Purpose

I am applying for the scholarship program offered by the UCL Institute of Health Informatics to
pursue a Master of Science degree in Health Informatics. I have a Bachelor of Pharmacy
degree from University in Africa, and I am currently completing my internship at Referral
Hospital. My academic background, professional experience, and personal interest have
motivated me to pursue further studies in health informatics, a field that I believe is vital for
improving the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of health care in Uganda and beyond.

My interest in health informatics stems from my passion for using information and
communication technology (ICT) to solve health-related problems and enhance health
outcomes. During my undergraduate studies, I was exposed to various aspects of pharmacy
practice, such as pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, pharmaceutics, pharmacoeconomics, and
pharmacy management. I learned how to apply scientific knowledge and clinical skills to provide
safe and effective medication therapy for patients. However, I also realized that there were
many challenges and limitations in the current health care system, such as lack of standardized
and interoperable health information systems, poor data quality and security, inadequate health
workforce and infrastructure, and low health literacy and awareness among the population.
These issues hampered the delivery of optimal and evidence-based health care services and
compromised patient safety and satisfaction.

To address these challenges, I decided to explore the potential of ICT to improve health care
processes and outcomes. I participated in several projects and activities that involved the use of
ICT in health care, such as:

- Developing a mobile application for drug information and interaction checking as part of my
final year project. The application aimed to provide reliable and up-to-date information on drugs,
their indications, contraindications, dosages, side effects, interactions, and precautions. It also
allowed users to check for potential drug-drug and drug-food interactions and receive alerts and
recommendations. The application was designed to be user-friendly, interactive, and accessible
for both health professionals and patients.
- Conducting a survey on the use and perception of electronic health records (EHRs) among
health workers at Arua Regional Referral Hospital as part of my internship. The survey aimed to
assess the level of adoption, satisfaction, and challenges of using EHRs in the hospital and to
identify the factors that influenced their use and perception. The survey results showed that
EHRs were widely used and appreciated by health workers, but there were also some barriers
and difficulties, such as lack of training, technical support, and feedback, as well as concerns
about data privacy and security.
- Volunteering as a digital health ambassador for the Uganda Health Information Network
(UHIN), a non-governmental organization that promotes the use of ICT for health in Uganda. As
a digital health ambassador, I was involved in raising awareness and educating the public and
health workers about the benefits and opportunities of ICT for health, such as telemedicine,
mHealth, eLearning, and eHealth. I also participated in organizing and facilitating workshops,
seminars, and campaigns on various topics related to digital health, such as data management,
health literacy, and digital innovation.

Through these experiences, I gained valuable insights and skills in health informatics, such as
data analysis, system design, user interface, project management, and communication. I also
developed a keen interest and curiosity in learning more about the theories, methods, and
applications of health informatics in different contexts and domains. I believe that health
informatics is not only a technical field, but also a social and ethical one, that requires a holistic
and interdisciplinary approach to understand and address the complex and dynamic health care
needs and challenges of the 21st century.

That is why I am eager to join the MSc Health Informatics program at UCL, one of the leading
and most reputable institutions in the world for health informatics research and education. The
program offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum that covers the core concepts and
skills of health informatics, such as health data science, health information systems, health
policy and strategy, health informatics evaluation, and health informatics research methods. The
program also provides a wide range of elective modules that allow students to tailor their
learning according to their interests and career goals, such as clinical decision support, artificial
intelligence, digital health interventions, and global health informatics. Moreover, the program
offers a unique opportunity to conduct a research project under the supervision of an expert
faculty member and to collaborate with other students and researchers from diverse
backgrounds and disciplines.

By enrolling in the MSc Health Informatics program at UCL, I hope to achieve the following
objectives:

- To acquire advanced knowledge and skills in health informatics that will enable me to design,
implement, evaluate, and improve health information systems and solutions that are relevant,
effective, and sustainable for different health care settings and populations.
- To develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will allow me to analyze, interpret,
and communicate health data and information in a meaningful and ethical way that supports
decision making and action for health care improvement and innovation.
- To expand my professional network and exposure by interacting and collaborating with leading
health informatics researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders from various sectors and
regions, and by engaging in academic and industry events and opportunities.
- To contribute to the advancement of health informatics research and practice by conducting
original and impactful research that addresses the current and emerging health care challenges
and opportunities in Uganda and beyond.

After completing the MSc Health Informatics program at UCL, I plan to return to Uganda and
pursue a career as a health informatics specialist in the public or private sector. I aspire to apply
the knowledge and skills I will gain from the program to improve the health care system and
services in Uganda, especially in the areas of pharmacy and medication management, where I
have a strong background and interest. I also intend to share and disseminate my learning and
experience with other health informatics professionals and enthusiasts in Uganda and to
participate in the development and implementation of health informatics policies and standards
in the country. Furthermore, I hope to continue my academic and professional development by
pursuing a PhD degree in health informatics in the future and by joining and contributing to the
local and global health informatics community.

I believe that I am a suitable candidate for the scholarship program because of my academic
excellence, professional experience, and personal motivation. I have a strong academic record,
with a first-class honors degree in pharmacy and several awards and recognitions for my
academic performance and achievements. I have a relevant and diverse professional
experience, with exposure to various aspects and applications of health informatics in different
health care settings and contexts. I have a genuine and passionate interest in health
informatics, with a clear vision and ambition for my future career and contribution in the field. I
also have the potential and readiness to succeed in the MSc Health Informatics program at
UCL, with the necessary skills, qualities, and attitude for academic and professional growth and
excellence.

I appreciate your consideration of my application and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your time and attention.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 18/02/2024

(1) Health Informatics MSc | Prospective Students Graduate - UCL ....
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(2) MSc Health Informatics | University of West London.
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(3) Best Online Health Informatics Master’s Programs Of 2024 - Forbes.
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(4) MSc Degrees in Health Informatics - Postgraduate Search.
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(5) Earning A Master’s In Health Informatics: A Complete Guide - Forbes.
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