From Clinical Dietetics to Public Health Thinking: My Master of Science in Public Health Journey at IMU

Healthcare professionals often pursue postgraduate studies to broaden their understanding of health beyond individual patient care. The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) at IMU University provides an opportunity for practitioners from diverse healthcare backgrounds to develop skills in epidemiology, health research, and population health analysis. Here is what one of our students, Chen Wan Shan, shared about her experience in the programme.

My academic journey began in the United Kingdom, where I completed my BSc (Hons) Dietetics and Human Nutrition at Coventry University. After graduating and completing my clinical placements, I returned to Malaysia to work as a clinical dietitian in a private hospital.

While this role allowed me to apply my nutrition knowledge in clinical practice, I soon realised that the healthcare context in Malaysia differed significantly from what I had experienced during my training in the UK. Dietetics was still developing as a profession, and many patients were unfamiliar with the role of dietitians in healthcare.

These observations prompted me to reflect on broader questions about healthcare systems, public awareness, and the social factors that influence health behaviours. This growing interest in the wider determinants of health led me to pursue the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) at IMU.

IMU was a natural choice for my postgraduate studies due to its strong reputation as one of Malaysia’s leading medical and health sciences institutions.

The Master of Science in Public Health programme provided a multidisciplinary learning environment that encouraged students to examine health issues from various perspectives, including epidemiology, health systems, and behavioural science.

One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was learning to approach health challenges from a broader, population-level perspective. Rather than focusing solely on individual patient care, the Master of Science in Public Health programme emphasised understanding how policies, social environments, and behavioural factors shape health outcomes.

This broader perspective has significantly influenced how I analyse health issues and make decisions in my professional work today.

My dissertation explored dietary habits among hybrid workers in Klang Valley following the COVID-19 pandemic.

As hybrid working arrangements became more common, I was interested in understanding how these changes in work patterns might influence dietary behaviours.

While working from home may allow some individuals to adopt healthier eating habits, it can also disrupt daily routines and lead to irregular meal patterns or increased reliance on convenience foods. Understanding these behavioural patterns is important for informing future public health strategies as work environments continue to evolve.

Throughout this research journey, I benefited greatly from the mentorship of my supervisor, Dr Hlaing, whose guidance and encouragement helped strengthen my research skills and critical thinking.

Currently, I serve as a health team leader in a supplement-focused health consultation organisation. My role involves providing health consultations, developing internal health policies, and ensuring that health information communicated to consumers is responsible, accurate, and evidence-based.

In Malaysia’s rapidly growing health and wellness market, misleading information can easily circulate through digital platforms. My public health training has strengthened my ability to critically evaluate health claims, understand consumer behaviour, and translate scientific knowledge into clear and responsible health communication.

For those considering the Master of Science in Public Health programme at IMU University, my advice is to approach it with curiosity and an open mind. Public health may not always follow the same career pathway as more conventional postgraduate programmes, but it fundamentally changes how you understand health and society.

The programme develops critical thinking and encourages you to examine health issues from multiple perspectives—skills that remain valuable regardless of the career path you pursue.

This article shares the experience of a healthcare professional transitioning from clinical dietetics to public health through the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) programme at IMU University in Malaysia. The programme equips students with skills in epidemiology, health systems analysis, behavioural science, and public health research.