Interview with Preksha Kuppanda
Preksha Kuppanda is a PhD student at the Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland. Her PhD project involves the development of patient-centered evaluation tools such as surveys and questionnaires to capture patient experience of an Artificial Intelligence assisted skin cancer screening pathway under the supervision of Prof Liam Caffery and Prof Monika Janda. |
What experiences or background influenced your decision to pursue a PhD?
My experience evaluating technology adoption in healthcare, including patient portals and other innovations, strengthened my interest in patient-centered care and the factors influencing the adoption of new interventions. Working as a research associate in the NHS, I contributed to a national patient experience audit and conducted patient interviews, including cognitive interviews for the development of standardised questionnaires to evaluate patient outcomes or experiences. These experiences gave me a strong foundation in qualitative research and deepened my understanding of how patient perspectives shape healthcare delivery. This ultimately led me to pursue my PhD, where I aim to explore ways to improve patient experience and facilitate the adoption of new technologies in healthcare.
What is the focus of your PhD research?
My PhD research is about understanding how patients feel about new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) or advanced imaging technologies used to screen for skin cancer and melanoma. I aim to create tools, like surveys, to gather patient feedback and make sure these technologies are easy to use and meet their needs.
For example, one objective of my PhD is to design a survey to ask patients what they think about using AI to help detect skin cancer. This helps capture information and ensure that new technologies are not only effective but also comfortable and accessible for patients.
What has been the most rewarding part of your PhD journey so far?
Although I’m still in the early stages of my PhD journey, there have already been some incredibly rewarding moments. One highlight has been seeing one of my review articles accepted for publication. Knowing that my work is contributing to the field is both exciting and motivating. Another memorable experience was presenting a poster at the 13th Health Services Research Conference, 2024. It was a fantastic opportunity to share my work, connect with researchers, and gain valuable feedback. These milestones have given me a sense of accomplishment and reaffirmed my excitement for the journey ahead.
What challenges have you faced during your PhD, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early on was narrowing down my research topic and putting my thoughts onto paper. When you first start a PhD, there’s so much excitement and so many ideas buzzing in your head that it can be overwhelming to figure out where to begin. I wanted to do everything at once, but I quickly realised the importance of focus and clarity.
What really helped me overcome this was the support I received from my supervisors, peers, and colleagues. Their guidance and encouragement were invaluable. Every piece of advice, no matter how small, helped me shape my direction and refine my ideas. While the process was challenging, it also gave me a deeper appreciation for the iterative nature of research and how important it is to build a strong foundation before diving in.
What skills have you gained during your PhD that you didn’t expect to develop?
I've become better at setting realistic goals and deadlines for myself, which is crucial given the long-term nature of PhD projects. This has not only helped me stay on track but also reduced stress by allowing me to break down larger tasks into manageable chunks. As a result, I've gained a better understanding of my own work habits and have learned how to stay motivated through the ups and downs of the research process.
Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers, locally or internationally?
I've had the chance to collaborate with researchers from various universities across Australia, including The University of Sydney and Monash University, through my part-time research role with the ACEMID group. This position has allowed me to connect with the research community and contribute to multiple studies within the group. It's been a valuable experience that not only helps me expand my network but also deepens my understanding of the overall study. Additionally, I've had the chance to collaborate with other PhD students, for example, in systematic reviews, which has been a great opportunity to learn from different perspectives and contribute to larger projects.
What’s one piece of advice you’ve received during your PhD that really stuck with you?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek help. As someone who's still partially new to the process, it's easy to feel like I should have all the answers or be fully independent from the start. But I've learned that asking questions, whether it's about research methods, feedback on writing, or advice on navigating in a new environment, it helps me learn faster and avoid unnecessary mistakes. This has also encouraged me to leverage the support network around me, which is something I’m sure will become even more valuable as my research progresses.