Before attending medical school, I worked as a clinical research fellow at the Institute of Applied Health and Research. Here, I informally attended the Public Health Masters Programme, gaining expertise in statistics, epidemiology, and medical research writing. My contributions involved statistical analysis, STATA coding, and mentoring colleagues, leading to nine published papers, including a first-author paper in Psychological Medicine.
My research has primarily focused on epidemiological studies using primary care data, but I’ve also conducted literature reviews on topics like endocrine studies and maternal health. I have attended medical school at the University of Birmingham and I have recently completed a research-focused specialised foundation program at Royal Stoke University Hospital, where I led a systematic review on healthcare practitioners’ perspectives on opioid prescribing for elderly patients. This experience honed my skills in qualitative thematic analysis, critical appraisal, and innovative research methodologies.
I also gained hands-on experience in qualitative data collection through interviews. Looking ahead, I am passionate about specialising in paediatrics while continuing to explore and contribute to innovative research methods.
Project Information
Research Driver Programme: Medicines in Acute and Chronic Care
Project Title: The association between multiple long term conditions and polypharmacy in pregnancy and child health outcomes
Summary:
This project investigates the impact of having multiple long-term health conditions (MLTCs) and taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) during pregnancy on child health outcomes. Many pregnant women in the UK have MLTCs, which are linked to adverse outcomes like preterm birth, low birth weight, and severe maternal health issues.
However, the effects of these conditions and the combined use of different medications during pregnancy on child health are not well understood. Using data from healthcare records, this study aims to determine whether certain combinations of medications are safe and how MLTCs influence child health. The research involves analysing past birth records and medication data to identify potential risks associated with these factors.
The results will help improve safety guidelines for medication use during pregnancy, ultimately enhancing the health of both mothers and their children.
Securing this funding will allow me to analyse large-scale healthcare data and conduct comprehensive studies. It will also enable me to attend specialised courses and training programs, which will enhance my knowledge and research skills, ensuring that I can approach this project with the most up-to-date and effective methodologies. This support will bridge my passion for paediatrics with rigorous research, ultimately guiding safer clinical practices and improving the health and development of both mothers and their children.
