Healthcare innovation starts with understanding real clinical challenges. Maria Ioannidou brings an Occupational Therapist’s perspective into ManagiDiTH, exploring how digital tools, interdisciplinary collaboration, and European cooperation can transform healthcare practice. In this student blog post, she shares what drew her to the programme and how it changed the way she views her role in the healthcare system.
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Integrating an Occupational Therapist’s perspective into the unified goal of ManagiDiTH
Why did you apply to ManagiDiTH? Why did you choose ManagiDiTH? What drew you to this programme and the digital health field?
As an Occupational Therapist, I have faced the challenges of the healthcare system, such as material shortages and the need to adjust to different and difficult-to-solve problems. Having used and explored digital tools professionally and academically, such as virtual reality and serious games, I was convinced that these tools can revolutionise the therapeutic process and outcomes, while also providing solutions to serious healthcare system issues!
Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams has taught me that only group work has the dynamic to genuinely lead to holistic care and positive outcomes.
ManagiDiTH combined them all! It was the first master's program I had ever seen, promoting group dynamics in healthcare and interdisciplinary co-creation!
At the time I learned about this master’s, I had already applied to another master’s degree; however, the novelty, multidisciplinary, and multicultural context of ManagiDiTH is what really made a positive impression on me. It didn’t take me long to think about applying. It was a one-way decision.
However, I hadn’t realised back then what a difficult decision I would have to take if accepted into both programs. I had to choose. Trust me, it was not an easy thing to do. I was first accepted into the other master’s program, and then, about a month later, I received the acceptance email from ManagiDiTH. So, I had to leave behind a program.
Was it worth it?
Bridging pan-European borders and learning from globally distinguished professors was more than the average master’s in ICT or technology. The online and flexible nature of the program seemed to be a perfect opportunity to combine my studies with the one thing I love the most, my job! The website even motivated women towards applying!
Too good to be true, right?
How has the programme changed your perspectives, goals, or skills?
Turns out dreams can come true after all!
I never would have guessed how many different things I could learn through ManagiDiTH. This program changed my mindset. Basically everything. I got a close view of how EU policies really work, and most importantly, why they are needed. I reflected a lot on the assignments related to my country’s and Occupational Therapy policies and set out new goals for the future. Interacting with co-students from different countries and cultures, and collaborating with them to reach common goals, was at first uncomfortable but became rewarding.
As months went by, we became friends and even called each other to discuss and exchange views on common issues in our professional and personal lives. We understood what it is like to experience an EU policy in another country. Not by a close friend or family member, but from a co-worker, someone like you.
Healthcare professionals from various disciplines and practices, sharing views and exchanging thoughts on common EU critical emerging themes, was more than unique. That was when I realised that digitalisation requires significant changes in workflow, and sadly, most healthcare professionals are not ready yet. We have to bridge the gap now more than ever. We have to work as a system!
One year later, I am certainly not the same person. Learning to adapt to new learning designs and receiving personalised feedback on every assignment made me a flexible person. Most importantly, I was excited to find out that it is not a theoretical master’s! We actually gained hands-on experience in designing digital services and using digital co-designing and decision-making tools. Among all the other added values of ManagiDiTH, I had the opportunity to meet my pen pals! The Summer School experience was one of the best academic experiences of my life! Meeting co-students and professors in person is one of the sweetest memories. However, creating shared experiences and memories included not only going out but also designing digital services! This time in person and in workshops!
Three Universities changed my life this year: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and ISCTE.
Three Universities made me an active EU citizen and opened my eyes to see what I am truly interested in doing in my life.
Three Universities are the beginning of something special to come next!
Maria Ioannidou
Maria Ioannidou is an Occupational Therapist with a strong interest in digital health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and healthcare innovation. She is a student in the ManagiDiTH master’s programme, where she combines her clinical background with digital tools such as virtual reality and co-design methods to explore more holistic, system-level solutions for healthcare across Europe.
