Reflection: Skills identified in mapping job opportunities activity

While working on the mapping of job opportunities, I identified several skills and knowledge gaps that I plan to address in order to improve my qualifications and competencies in the health economics field. One key gap is in advanced health economics techniques, particularly related to economic evaluations such as cost-effectiveness analysis, budget impact analysis, and health financing. Although I am familiar with basic research methodologies, I recognize the need to deepen my understanding of these specific economic evaluation methods used to assess public health programs, especially in a resource-constrained environment like Sub-Saharan Africa.

Another area for development is statistical analysis, particularly in using software such as R or Stata for data analysis. While I have experience with data collection and basic analysis, I need to further enhance my technical skills to manage and analyse large datasets effectively. I also identified a gap in the use of advanced modeling techniques for cost and outcome evaluation, particularly in tools like Simul8 and Microsoft Excel with Visual Basic for building cost-effectiveness models. To address this, I plan to take courses and practical workshops to strengthen my proficiency in these areas.

Additionally, I recognised the importance of evidence synthesis and literature review skills, which are crucial for building a robust evidence base in health economics. I plan to engage in more systematic review methodologies and improve my ability to critically appraise and synthesise research from diverse sources.

Lastly, I acknowledged the need to enhance my interpersonal and communication skills, especially when disseminating complex research findings to diverse audiences. Developing the ability to present research in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences is a skill I aim to refine, along with the capacity to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams under tight deadlines.

To address these gaps, I will pursue further training in health economics, statistical software, and advanced modeling, while also seeking opportunities for hands-on experience through internships or collaborative research projects. I will also focus on improving my communication and writing skills to ensure that I can effectively contribute to the dissemination of research findings.