Unravelling career preferences: exploring health science students’ perspectives on healthcare analytics

Wan Jasmin, Wan Adriana Binti, Fang, Chee Mun, Maharajan, Mari Kannan, and Rajiah, Kingston (2026) Unravelling career preferences: exploring health science students’ perspectives on healthcare analytics. Cogent Education, 13 (1). 2642463.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (914kB) | Preview
View at Publisher Website: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.26...
 
2


Abstract

This study aimed to explore the factors influencing health science students’ perceptions of healthcare analytics as a potential career. A qualitative study was conducted among final year health science students enrolled in Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Nutrition, and Psychology programmes at a private university in Malaysia. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis until data saturation was achieved. Fifteen students participated in the study. Four main themes were identified: knowledge and scope, readiness, exposure to healthcare analytics, and perceptions of healthcare analytics as a career. Participants demonstrated limited understanding of the field, insufficient exposure, and gaps in required skills, particularly in coding. These factors contributed to low confidence and a lack of interest in pursuing healthcare analytics careers. Students’ knowledge, skills, and exposure significantly influence their perceptions of healthcare analytics careers. Strengthening curriculum design, integrating technical skills, and providing experiential learning opportunities are essential to prepare a workforce capable of supporting data-driven healthcare.

Item ID: 92111
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2331-186X
Keywords: career perceptions, health science students, Healthcare analytics, Malaysia, qualitative study
Related URLs:
Copyright Information: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Date Deposited: 03 Jun 2026 23:04
Downloads: Total: 2
Last 12 Months: 2
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page