Are you looking to take your healthcare career to the next level? If you already have a master’s degree under your belt, you might consider a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree as a means of building the skills and knowledge needed to advance into healthcare leadership and advanced research roles. 

Could a career as a health researcher be right for you? In the following sections, you can learn more about what a day in the life of a researcher looks like from Keiser University’s very own Dr. Judy Jean. You’ll also learn more about our DHSc program and how this path could be suited to your interests and professional goals. 

Why Health Researchers Are Vital in Modern Healthcare

In the modern healthcare system, medical science researchers are crucial to developing new treatments, furthering the medical profession’s understanding of certain diseases and even identifying new diseases as they emerge. The work carried out by healthcare researchers on a daily basis can improve patient outcomes and overall public health while fueling health innovations and knowledge sharing. 

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for medical scientists and researchers is projected to grow 11% between 2023 and 2033 alone, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations. 

Overview of the DHSc Path

In a Doctor of Health Sciences program, students can build upon the essential skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the field of healthcare through ongoing research. At the same time, DHSc students focus on building their leadership and decision-making skills while learning to communicate more effectively and explore challenges commonly associated with healthcare access and quality. 

Meet the Graduate – From Doctoral Student to Health Researcher

Our team had the opportunity to interview Dr. Judy Jean, who not only is our DHSc Program Coordinator but also has about 15 years of experience in healthcare research. 

Career Background and Current Role

Prior to her time at Keiser, Dr. Jean worked extensively in the healthcare field, handling everything from managing clinical research sites to working as a research coordinator and “actually seeing patients, collecting data and ensuring that all the regulations that govern clinical trials are in place and compliance is being met.” 

In her clinical trial experience, Dr. Jean has also worked with some of the largest pharmaceutical companies and academic healthcare centers in the world. 

What Sparked the Journey Into Health Research

Health research wasn’t actually always Dr. Jean’s calling. While she was completing her master’s in health service administration, she recalls how she had reached out to a research facility within the organization where she was working as part of a school assignment. From there, she was offered a position as a research assistant, where she began to gain more experience and insight. 

Ultimately, she decided to pursue a Doctorate in Health Science because she wanted the opportunity to support the community and allow participants to support their own health with the resources provided through clinical trials — referring to research as her “first passion.” 

Why Pursue a DHSc Online at Keiser University? 

Despite there being many DHSc programs to choose from, Keiser University’s DHSc program offers a student-first approach with all the flexibility of an online program. This allows students to work toward their degrees at their own pace while enjoying up to 18 hours of transfer credit. Additionally, DHSc students at Keiser University enjoy the opportunity to build upon essential communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can serve them well in roles as healthcare researchers, healthcare leaders and even educators. 

A Day in the Life of a Health Researcher

So, what does a day in the life of a researcher look like? We spoke with Dr. Jean to learn more about what her typical work entailed throughout her 15 years in the field. 

Typical Daily Routine

Of her daily routine, Dr. Jean recounts: 

“A typical day would include managing multiple clinical trials at one time, whether that was enrolling patients, looking for participants that fit specific criteria for a research study or really just getting the paperwork together to gain approval to start a research study at a particular site. […] And when working with different staff in an office to ensure that the right participants are recruited for a study, you need to be well-versed in informed consent. You need to have an understanding of the different tasks that go with that protocol — be it taking the patient’s blood pressure or different vitals, or ensuring that certain tests and procedures are done.” 

Meanwhile, the work of the healthcare researcher requires excellent collaboration skills and extensive knowledge of industry regulations. “You’re speaking daily with investigators who are ultimately in charge of the study, the different principal investigators for the different studies,” Dr. Jean explains. “So, you’re just making sure that everything is running the way it should — and that we’re being compliant and meeting all the regulations, guidelines and deadlines.” 

Managing Responsibilities: Juggling Research, Family and Coursework

Enrolling in a DHSc program, especially while working full-time and juggling other responsibilities, doesn’t come without its challenges. As Dr. Jean remembers of her own experience, “One of the most difficult things was time management, and that was because I was working full-time and pursuing the degree full-time.” 

However, having a solid support system to lean on can go a long way. “Fortunately for me, I did have some good mentorship to support me and get me properly trained and ready to go,” As Dr. Jean says. “Lean on your advisors and faculty for support and […] find some strong mentorship along the way.” 

Skills and Knowledge Gained from a Doctorate in Health Science

Although she did not earn her DHSc from Keiser University, Dr. Jean explains the courses that had the biggest impact on her professionally as well as the transferable skills she took away from this type of program. 

Courses That Had the Biggest Impact

As a health science graduate, Dr. Jean recalls “having some research writing courses that really brought the coursework to the real world.” She says that her research writing courses had the biggest impact on her, especially working in the clinical trial space, because this coursework helped with “informed consent writing, support protocol writing and […] working with the investigators to ensure the wording and everything was correct and well-supported in the literature.” 

Transferable Skills: Research Design, Ethics, Health Data Interpretation

In a DHSc program, students focus on building upon foundational skills and knowledge needed to conduct compliant, ethical research in the field. This includes learning how to advance the body of knowledge through relevant research and scholarship, communicate more effectively with others and even propose new practice standards based on research data and interpretations. 

Advice for Aspiring Health Researchers Pursuing a DHSc

If you are considering a DHSc as the next step in your academic journey, keep in mind a few factors before you enroll. 

What You Need to Know Before Starting an Online Doctorate

Asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about a DHSc, Dr. Jean replies: 

“If you’re passionate about helping people of working with specific populations when it comes to healthcare, this is the ideal degree that would be able to support your passion and your urge to help because it does ground you with understandings of different populations, how they learn best and how to support their health behaviors and health needs given the resources that we have within our means.” 

If this sounds like something you would like to do in your own career, the key, of course, is to choose a DHSc degree that will best align with your professional goals, interests and schedule. 

Tips to Stay Focused, Motivated and Balanced

Juggling the demands of a DHSc program with other responsibilities (such as a career and/or raising a family) can be challenging, but Dr. Jean emphasizes that, with the right time management skills and support system in place, students can thrive while maintaining that balance. 

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

In addition to challenges surrounding time management, Dr. Jean explains how some of the coursework itself can be inherently difficult. In response to this, she recommends that DHSc students lean on their advisors, faculty and staff.  

“I work very closely with my students, ensuring that they have the support they need, the resources that they need to complete the work and to have a good understanding of the work,” she says. “So my advice, again, is just to be able to lean on your advisors and faculty for support and to find some strong mentorship along the way.” 

Reflections on the Doctoral Journey

Reflecting on her own time in a DHSc program, Dr. Jean acknowledges the obstacles she faced but ultimately knows she took the right path and wouldn’t change a thing. 

Most Rewarding Aspects of the Degree

Regarding the most rewarding part of her studies, Dr. Jean shares: 

“When I completed my doctoral studies, that was of course a highly fulfilling moment for me. I was still in the clinical trial space, but being able to now have those credentials to work side-by-side with principal investigators who are physicians well-trained in the field, it did give me a sense that I’ve reached that moment; I’ve reached that level where I can now run a protocol, and I can now run a study by myself. […] So, that was very fulfilling.” 

Long-Term Goals and Vision for the Future

With a DHSc degree, health science graduates can explore any number of compelling roles in the field, including those not just in research but also in healthcare leadership and education. 

When asked how she envisions using her DHSc degree to help public health and medical science advancements in the future, Dr. Jean says that she sees herself continuing to do any contract work or projects through which she can serve as support in an advocacy, advisor-type or consultant role. She expands, “I just foresee myself being able to continue to do whatever consultations or advocacy, or serve as an advisor to support the research taking place.” 

Would You Do It Again?

Time invested in a DHSc or any type of doctoral program is never easy. However, with your degree under your belt and new opportunities on the horizon, the work you put in to earning your DHSc degree can pay off many times over. As Dr. Jean explains of her experience, 

“I would not change a thing. Maybe I would’ve liked to have attacked it in my younger years. However, I think everything happened for a reason because […] I worked in the industry for many years prior to getting the degree, which definitely helped — but I think if I did the reverse, who knows how it would’ve ended up? So, I don’t think I would’ve changed anything.” 

FAQ: Doctorate in Health Science and Health Research Careers

If you have more specific questions about a DHSc degree or a day in the life of public health researchers, we have answers to some commonly asked questions below. 

What can I do with a doctorate in health science?

A DHSc degree can help you build the skills and knowledge needed to pursue many roles in the healthcare field, ranging from researcher to educator and healthcare leader. As Keiser University’s Dr. Jean states, “I’ve held several roles: manager of clinical research projects […] and director of research operations.” 

Meanwhile, a DHSc ”does prepare you with leadership skills or to be a leader within clinical trials — or in the healthcare industry in general.” 

How long does it take to earn a DHSc?

The amount of time required to complete a DHSc degree depends on numerous factors, including the number of credit hours in the program, any transfer credits you may have and whether you are completing your education part or full time. For instance, the 51-credit DHSc degree through Keiser University is designed to be completed in 20 to 38 months. 

What is the difference between a DHSc and a PhD in Public Health?

While both degrees are doctorate degrees, a DHSc tends to focus more on the practical research and leadership skills needed to pursue roles in clinical research, consulting and health education. A PhD, on the other hand, is geared more toward academia with a greater emphasis on research methodologies and specialized areas of the field. 

Is a DHSc worth it for research careers?

If you are interested in a career in healthcare research, a DHSc can help you develop the practical skills and in-depth knowledge necessary to pursue these kinds of roles. In Keiser University’s DHSc program specifically, the curriculum covers coursework in relevant topics such as: 

  • Research writing 
  • Survey research methods 
  • Mixed methods 
  • Management and leadership approaches 
  • Methods and analysis of quantitative research 

 As Dr. Jean explains in her interview with the Keiser team, “If you’re looking to do research, this is an ideal degree.” 

Can I work full-time while completing a DHSc online?

Yes, you can work full-time while completing a DHSc online, and many students in this program do. The flexible nature of Keiser’s online curriculum makes it easier for working students to complete their studies at their own pace and around their busy schedules. Of course, juggling the demands of a DHSc program and a full-time job does require some careful time management, which may prove a learning curve for some. However, with proper time management and support, many students successfully complete their DHSc programs while keeping up with their professional commitments and other responsibilities. 

Learn More About a DHSc Today 

Today’s healthcare researchers play a critical role in developing new treatments and advancing medical knowledge — creating opportunities for better patient care through evidence-based practice. If you are interested in advancing your healthcare career to perform research for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare systems, then it may be time to pursue your Doctor of Health Science degree from Keiser University. 

In this online program, you can enjoy Keiser’s “student-first” philosophy, along with plenty of dedicated faculty support and resources to help you every step of the way. Drop us a line to learn more about this program, or take the next step by starting your application today. 

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