PhD project on healthcare for severely ill children in Malawi passes half-time review
PhD student André Thunberg is researching how healthcare workers in rural Malawi identify and manage critically ill children. On March 26, he successfully completed his half-time review, and we had the opportunity to discuss his PhD journey so far.
Congratulations on passing your half-time review! Could you share some details about your PhD project with us?
Thank you! My project focuses on severely ill children at health centers in rural Malawi. Specifically, I investigate how healthcare workers identify and manage the most critically ill children, with a particular focus on the use of pulse oximetry to improve accuracy in identifying severe cases. Additionally, I explore the factors that influence caregivers' ability to complete a referral—that is, getting their child to the hospital when needed.
What challenges have you encountered during your PhD journey so far, and how have you tackled them?
Balancing my PhD with clinical work has been challenging, as it can be difficult to find enough time for both. However, I also find it rewarding to combine the two, as it brings variety to my workdays and keeps me engaged in both research and patient care.
Another challenge has been managing my time effectively while also raising three young children. I try to set realistic goals and plan my time carefully so that I don't spend all my free time working. Over time, I think I’ve become better at maintaining a healthier balance.
Which achievements are you particularly proud of so far?
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to plan and lead both quantitative and qualitative data collection in Malawi. Organizing fieldwork in a rural setting comes with many challenges, from logistical hurdles to ensuring high-quality data collection, so being able to carry it out successfully has been a valuable learning experience.
On a more personal note, I am glad that I had the opportunity to bring my children to Malawi and give them the chance to experience a completely different context. The journey wasn’t without its challenges—one of the biggest hurdles was a legal battle with my municipality to allow my eldest son to attend first grade there. Despite numerous setbacks, I persisted and ultimately won the case. It was a long and difficult process, but I’m proud that I didn’t give up.