Student Stories | The benefits of remote learning are huge

We love keeping in touch with our students, whether they are still in the middle of their studies, or finding out where their qualification has taken them. Fresh from a recent expedition, we sat down with Mabli Davies. A graduate of our Postgraduate Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine, Mabli enjoyed her time with us so much she is now completing the MSc. We chatted to Mabli to find out how this course has already uncovered new passions and the reasons she is now a huge online learning advocate.

Tell us a little about yourself

I am currently a junior doctor based in Manchester. I completed Learna’s Postgraduate Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine in March 2022 and am now enrolled in the MSc. I am a keen sportswoman and lover of the outdoors which has led to me combining my career with my hobbies. I am eager to share my passion with others whilst simultaneously creating a safe environment for others to explore and achieve their own personal goals. Alongside expedition medicine, I am about to start anaesthetics training in South Manchester.

What was your background before enrolling in the Expedition and Wilderness Medicine programme?

I was working as a junior doctor in A&E and intensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was keen to develop my knowledge and expertise in remote medicine, however, this proved challenging during a pandemic! Spending time outdoors is a crucial part of my life. I am a keen runner, open water swimmer, cyclist, climber, and skier. Having participated in various sporting events from running races to triathlons to open water swims, I was always intrigued by the medical teams supporting these events and knew that this was a community I wanted to be part of. I was keen to incorporate my passions into my career to maximize my time outdoors and inspire others.

"I have sat in airports in the Arctic and Sierra Leone whilst responding to academic forum posts. The benefits of remote learning are huge, and meant that I could complete tasks and modules from anywhere in the world"

Why did you choose to study with Learna | Diploma MSc?

Being from South Wales and Welsh being my first language, when I found the course online, I was very keen to stick to my roots! That being said, Learna | Diploma MSc offers a very flexible style of learning which was compatible with working a full-time job in intensive care. I have sat in airports in the Arctic and Sierra Leone whilst responding to academic forum posts. The benefits of remote learning are huge, and meant that I could complete tasks and modules from anywhere in the world – perfect for an expedition medic!

What has the course done for your personal and professional growth?

As well as giving me a good understanding and grounding of the theory behind expedition medicine, it has also given me the confidence in academic writing and research – an interest which I didn’t realise I had! 5 years ago if you had asked me to write a literature review or a piece of research, I would have very politely rolled my eyes and dreaded the task. However, fast forward to the present and I have found my niche within the medical world and love expanding my knowledge in this area. Learna | Diploma MSc has provided me with the confidence to do this.

What is your favourite part about studying with Learna | Diploma MSc?

Discovering my unknown passion for research

"As well as giving me a good understanding and grounding of the theory behind expedition medicine, it has also given me the confidence in academic writing and research – an interest which I didn’t realise I had!"

Have you faced any difficulties during your studies?

I wouldn’t so much call it a difficulty, however, I did end up with a place on the MSc course and a full-time anaesthetic training post rather unexpectedly. It was a slightly overwhelming prospect at first, however, the flexible online learning and the enjoyment of the course have made it a breeze.

What advice would you give to someone taking this course with Learna | Diploma MSc?

Enjoy every minute of it and engross yourself in the academic forums. It has been a breath of fresh air to learn from my peers and listen to their own experiences within the expedition world.

About our Expedition and Wilderness Medicine programmes

Do you want to break from clinical conventions, develop skills that will enable you to think on your feet in an emergency setting, and save lives while travelling the world?

Our part-time online Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine has been designed for any health professional who is interested in developing their career and credentials in this increasingly popular and competitive speciality. Follow fellow professionals in escaping the every day through extreme medicine courses.

Some of the benefits of completing the expedition medicine course include:

• Development of skills and knowledge to anticipate, plan for and treat common and potential health problems which may arise on expeditions.
• The ability to apply the knowledge, approaches, and skills gained within expedition medicine to wider emergency situations.
• The ability to deliver leadership to teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural, and/or international contexts.
• Become leaders in the field of expedition medicine and wilderness medicine.
  Amongst many others...

If you are interested in studying our Expedition and Wilderness Medicine course, you can find more information here.

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