Alumna Awarded PhD in Nursing Informatics

The University’s School of Nursing added another PhD to its faculty when Dr Rafat Jan, Assistant Professor and Director of the BScN programme at AKU-SON, successfully completed her doctoral studies in nursing informatics at the University of Iowa, USA. A relatively new area of specialisation, nursing informatics combines computer science, information technology and related studies to assist in the management and processing of data related to the field of nursing. Dr Jan’s PhD studies were funded by AKU, in keeping with the University’s mission of developing high-quality human resources in the developing world.

A 1983 graduate of AKU-SON, Dr Jan is particularly interested in nursing history and midwifery. While pursuing her PhD, she combined midwifery with informatics and developed a set of standardised data on midwifery and reproductive health in Pakistan. “The Midwifery and Reproductive Health Data Set aims to explore midwifery practice and outcomes as well as maternal mortality and morbidity,” explains Dr Jan.

As part of Dr Jan’s dissertation requirements, her data set was the subject of a two-day conference held in Karachi in February 2004. Funded by AKU-SON, the conference featured University faculty, members of the National Midwifery Committee and National Health Management Information System officials, amongst others. “It was the first conference on informatics research methods in Pakistan and it was a learning experience for everyone,” recalls Dr Jan.

Dr Jan’s knowledge of informatics and the ways in which her research can impact the health of mothers and children in Pakistan are recognised by Professor Connie Delaney, her thesis advisor at the University of Iowa. “Rafat consulted the International Council of Nurses on this project and was assured that her work will have a bearing on other developing nations as well,” says Professor Delaney. “The World Health Organization is also aware of her studies. As a country-level representative from Pakistan, Rafat’s contribution to the development of an international Nursing Minimum Data Set should prove valuable as well. She is definitely creating new knowledge in nursing informatics and her work can serve as a living laboratory for future students.”

After completing her PhD last summer, Dr Jan returned to Pakistan to continue with her research and teaching at AKU-SON, which has played a leading role in establishing an internationally acceptable model for nursing education and practice in Pakistan. The high quality of education imparted by the School has been pivotal in changing public perceptions regarding the nursing profession and its role in health care. Four PhDs, including Dr Jan, currently serve on the School’s faculty. Dr Yasmin Amarsi, Professor and Dean of AKU-SON, is confident that Dr Jan’s dissertation will have a profound effect on nursing education in Pakistan.