Graduate Careers - What our online students did next
Our graduates from the MSc Clinical Management of Pain explain what they are doing now and how the online programme boosted their career.
Cecile HoSang
Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has a well-established reputation as one of the best in the world. I knew the course content would be of a high academic standard and good value for money. I also needed a programme that gave me a lot of work-life flexibility, since I had a young baby when I started. It was ideal that the entire programme is online!
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
I enjoyed interacting with people from all over the world. It was great to learn about the different models of pain management in other countries, and the similarities and differences we faced in our practice. I also loved the range of general and specific modules on offer. As a physiotherapist it was vital to have choices that would be applicable to my profession, as well as those which expanded my knowledge about the multidisciplinary roles in pain management.
How has the programme helped you in your career?
This degree has opened up a whole career path for me. During the course I secured a job in a specialist pain clinic in England which gave me excellent clinical experience. Since graduating, I have been working at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus) to develop a new MSc in Interdisciplinary Sport Pain Management. This has allowed me to achieve my goals of lecturing in pain management and sharing my knowledge with clinicians in the Caribbean.
Who would you recommend this programme to and why?
I would definitely recommend this programme to any health professional who wants to improve their pain management knowledge and skills. Whether you just want to learn more about chronic pain, or you want to specialise in the field - this is an excellent programme to choose. The design of the courses and assignments makes it feasible to arrange around work and family life, no matter where in the world you live.
Emanuel Schembri
Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?
I am currently reading for an MSc in the Clinical Management of Pain (Headache). Compared to similar courses provided by other universities, I chose this course because:
- It is flexible with regards to pacing the modules (I can complete the MSc over 3-6 years) and the choice of elective modules.
- It allowed me to add a headache stream to the masters degree, something which only this university allowed me to do.
- It's online - hence I can study in my own time.
- The modules appropriately tackle the clinical conditions that I encounter.
- Great library.
- Supportive staff.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
I really enjoyed the content and learning process. Also the fact that the assignments challenged my way of thinking.
How has the programme helped you in your career?
The programme helped me a lot. With the MSc I am in a position to advance in my career within the Maltese NHS; also the knowledge gained has improved my patient outcomes both within the NHS and in my private practice. Furthermore, thanks to the MSc I started lecturing at the University of Malta in pain management to undergraduate physiotherapy students. This MSc instilled in me a love towards research, in my case focusing on low back pain and radicular neuropathic pain. In fact during my MSc I managed to publish three papers, while another 3 manuscripts are in peer review stage.
Who would you recommend this programme to and why?
I recommend this MSc to every clinician dealing with patients suffering from pain as it improves your clinical knowledge on the various painful conditions, improves your diagnostic skills and evidence based treatment options, hence it helps to ameliorating your outcomes.