From time to time, students have asked to be interns at PKB. Their contribution is highly valued, and they often bring a fresh perspective to what we do. Davina Menkus, a student at University of Birmingham, has just completed a summer internship researching the next edition of Personal Health Records for Governments—a market-by-market analysis of PHR implementation worldwide. James Price, who is working with Dr. Mohammad Al-Ubaydli on the next edition, sat down with Davina to ask a series of questions about her time with us. We hope you find her responses as insightful as we did!
What did you get out of your internship at PKB?
Being an intern at PKB has allowed me to build my research skills beyond academia, working with everything from scientific papers to government policy reviews. I’ve also met some brilliant (and lovely!) people who were very willing to share their journey in digital health. I enjoyed contributing to a real project and learning firsthand about the future of digital health.
What did you learn about the digital health landscape?
I’ve learnt that healthcare and health tech are constantly evolving. Not only are they evolving, but the policies and frameworks around them are changing, which can impact how health tech will look in the future. I discovered how differently countries manage their systems, and that one of the biggest challenges in digital health is getting systems, providers, and patients to share information seamlessly. Even the best technology won’t work if patients and providers aren’t comfortable using it.
Tell us about your research for the book. What surprised you?
I was surprised to see that countries that are now starting to incorporate digital healthcare from scratch can sometimes move faster than those with decades of legacy infrastructure that has to be accounted for. I also found it fascinating that nations with similar economic profiles can vary greatly in their systems. Sometimes a system that thrives in one place might struggle in another due to differences in policy, setup or public attitudes.
What skills have you gained from this research?
I’ve honed my ability to synthesise large amounts of information and distill it into clear, accessible points for a broad audience. These skills will help me in the future with research, as well as in any role where clarity and accuracy are essential.
How would you describe the company culture at PKB compared to the other places you have worked?
PKB’s culture is incredibly supportive and, despite it being a virtual company, highly engaging. I enjoyed the trust placed in people to own their work and manage their time, as it was a refreshing change from the rigid deadlines of university. Even as an intern, I was given the chance to present my research and share what I found most interesting, which I really appreciated.
How do you think someone else could benefit from being an intern?
It’s a friendly way to ease into the digital health space, with a low-pressure environment to quickly get up to speed on the terminology. It also has a good mix of research and writing, letting you apply skills from school or university in a meaningful way.
What advice would you give a future intern?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; the people here are very generous with their time and knowledge. Share your ideas too; even if they are not used right away, they can spark new directions and improvements.
How would you describe what PKB does to a friend?
Patients Know Best, at its very core is a company that wants to give patients control over their own health records. The person most invested in your health is you, so it makes sense to be able to access all your information.
What value do you think PKB brings to healthcare?
PKB helps clinicians make better, faster and more informed decisions by giving them access to previous tests, imaging and consultations. At the same time, it empowers patients by putting more information directly in their hands, helping break down barriers and prove the healthcare system as a whole.
How did your experience at PKB differ from your expectations?
I was pleasantly surprised by the autonomy I was given. I was encouraged to take ownership of my project and contribute ideas. I also appreciated how much my colleagues cared about my getting value from the internship, not just completing research.