Andrew Abuleal (health information science)
Health information science student worked to improve healthcare in Kenya on international work term.
Working to improve health care
Fourth-year health information science student Andrew Abuleal (pictured on the right) spent a co-op work term in Nairobi, Kenya, where he worked for the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
Throughout the term, he supported the implementation of the MEDITECH Expanse electronic health record system, which made it easier for care providers to keep records and fostered safer, more comfortable experiences for patients.
Making connections
I have been extremely grateful for the connections I have been able to make both inside and outside of work over my work term in Kenya.
I was able to get involved with the project team that was supporting the initial stages of the MEDITECH Expanse electronic health record (EHR) project at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.
My colleagues and I met with the departments in the hospital to analyze the workflows of the hospital management information system that was currently in use.
I was in charge of developing a stakeholder management toolkit survey, which was used to gather quantitative data that assessed whether health care workers were ready for the switch to the new system.
Learning outcomes
I found it highly interesting to learn about some of the baseline differences between health information technology solutions in the East African healthcare context compared to Canada.
I am extremely thankful for the School of Health Information Science at the University of Victoria for providing me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I know will be very beneficial towards both the personal and professional growth in my career.