Introduction: A Lifelong Commitment to Volunteering
My name is Hussein Abdulameer, I am an international student at UWC East Africa originally from Iraq. I have many interests and focus areas, but mostly my goals are to help as many people as I can using my skills. I have volunteered for the majority of my life as in times of war, it was essential to bond together as a community to pass the hardship. I feel proud calling myself a volunteer and will always be one for the rest of my life no matter what happens. I was the founder of my school’s podcast system in Iraq and I won a national award for the podcast.
Joining Digital MD: A New Perspective on Knowledge Accessibility
Digital MD was especially interesting to me as it was very relevant to my goals but from a different perspective. I try to make knowledge more accessible to people, and I believe the digital world makes communication easier and more accessible for people to learn and grow.
I joined Digital MD knowing that it would develop my skills to a different level, as it transforms knowledge accessibility to be more digital and thus requires fewer resources to acquire. The atmosphere of working with people from all around the globe tirelessly thinking about new ways to make their content more available to people excites me. Throughout the past month, I worked in a team on research and marketing to take my skills further with real-world problems, solution strategies, and research analysis skills that I would not have access to from other places.
Tackling Misinformation: A Focus on Migraines
The program covered all aspects of analyzing research, which my team and I used to create the main focus for our marketing strategy, which was about migraines. We believe that there is a huge amount of misinformation spreading about this global issue that needs to be addressed properly, and it is especially relevant to most of us. We collected data from multiple sources after using the fact-checking techniques that we learned from the internship, and then we arranged the data and put it all in one document as a reference for our strategy.
Our aim is to make this information easier to learn and understand for readers, to make it more personal, and allow them to make connections to it if they have had it during their lives. We also aim to address this issue from a scientific perspective to create trust and tackle misinformation by providing sources for the readers to follow and check. We might not be able to solve this global issue, but we are confident that we will make it more accessible and will offer further reading resources on the subject for anyone interested in further investigation.
Leveraging Social Media Experience for Effective Marketing
The marketing part is where it gets interesting. I used my previous experience from leading TEDxBaghdad's social media accounts to create a marketing plan for Digital MD. Analyzing elements of TEDxBaghdad’s page made it easier and more relevant for Digital MD since both work in a similar way to make innovative information more accessible to other people. It was very difficult creating a digital persona for our targeted audience, especially as it is a very international setting and there is no real audience that we can focus on. Building elements of social media from scratch was very difficult, but the experience we had was priceless.
The website was set up for further resources and readings, and the Instagram page is designed to connect with our followers, engaging them in activities and content that make knowledge access enjoyable while keeping it precise and concise. I loved working with specialists and receiving feedback on my work 1:1, which made me more confident now about my strategies and approach to this issue.
Personal and Professional Growth Through Global Collaboration
Looking back on my journey with Digital MD, I can confidently say that it has been transformative. This experience not only allowed me to enhance my research and marketing skills but also expanded my understanding of how digital platforms can be harnessed to tackle misinformation and improve access to knowledge. The opportunity to work with a global team on real-world problems brought a new perspective to the way I approach challenges, particularly in the context of healthcare communication.
Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds helped me see problems from different angles and craft solutions that are both innovative and practical. It reinforced the idea that teamwork is essential in achieving impactful outcomes, especially when the goal is to make a difference on a global scale, just like Digital MD. What really helped me in the program was fully immersing myself in every task and embracing the learning process. I was open to feedback, as it is an invaluable tool for growth. This program pushed me out of my comfort zone, where real learning happens. I was not afraid to take risks, experiment with new ideas, and think creatively. The skills and insights I gained here will be indispensable in whatever path I choose to pursue in the future.
The Lasting Impact of Digital MD on My Journey
Lastly, I wanted to end with a note that this experience is not just about professional development; it’s about personal growth as well. I left with more than just new skills—I gained confidence, adaptability, and developed my communication skills. And that, to me, is the most rewarding part of this journey.
I wrote every word with enthusiasm and passion to share my journey for others to try it for themselves, and they might be the next global leader in healthcare communication!
If you want to learn more about the program, check here for further details, and do not forget to listen to Dr. Liz Kwo’s Digital MD podcast on all podcast platforms.
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