Fra farmakonom til klinisk domæneekspert
Rikke Grøngaard Madsbjergs vej ind i IT-branchen begyndte ikke foran en computerskærm, men bag skranken på et privat apotek. Som farmakonom fik hun hurtigt en nøgleopgave: at arbejde med doseringssystemet DD (Dosisdispensering, der faktisk er udviklet af de nuværende kollegaer hos Trifork). Det tændte en gnist af nysgerrighed for, hvordan IT kunne forbedre processer i sundhedssektoren.
Over tid voksede interessen. På sygehusapoteket fik hun erfaring med kliniske IT-systemer som ApoVision og EPJ, og da hun senere arbejdede med indkøb og logistik, blev hun superbruger og gravede endnu dybere i systemernes funktioner. Med rollen som datamanager begyndte hun at arbejde på tværs af IT-systemer og opdagede potentialet i digitaliseringens samspil med sundhedssektoren.
En barndomsdrøm og et tilfældigt kaffemøde
Som barn drømte Rikke om at blive læge eller tandlæge, men måtte erkende, at blod og lyden af knogler, der brækkes, ikke var noget for hende. I stedet fandt hun en vej, hvor hun stadig kunne bidrage til sundhedssektoren – bare fra en anden vinkel.
Det var dog ikke en traditionel IT-uddannelse, der banede vejen. Det var en kombination af interesse, faglig nysgerrighed og opmuntring fra en veninde. “Min veninde Nana fra Trifork tog fat i mig flere gange og inviterede mig til kaffe. Der mødte jeg vores CEO, og pludselig var IT-branchen ikke så fjern endda,” fortæller Rikke.
Efter flere år med IT-relaterede opgaver i Region Nord blev hun product owner på ApoVision, en rolle der skabte bro mellem farmaceutisk viden og digitale sundhedsløsninger. Det bekræftede hendes fornemmelse af, at IT var en naturlig forlængelse af hendes faglige baggrund.
At bringe klinisk viden ind i IT
I dag arbejder Rikke hos Trifork Digital Health som klinisk domæneekspert. Hun fungerer som bindeled mellem udviklere og sundhedsprofessionelle og sikrer, at de digitale sundhedsløsninger ikke bare fungerer teknisk, men også giver mening i den kliniske hverdag.
“Jeg oversætter det sundhedsfaglige sprog til udviklerne og omvendt. Det handler om at sikre, at de digitale værktøjer understøtter arbejdsgangene, så de reelt letter hverdagen for læger, farmaceuter og andre sundhedsfaglige brugere,” forklarer hun.
Et af de projekter, hun er mest stolt af, er KvikVacc, som understøttede vaccinationsindsatsen under COVID-19. Et andet er bivirkningsindberetningsservicen, hvor hun ikke blot var projektleder, men også fik lov at kode automatiserede tests.
Hun fremhæver også arbejdet med Fælles Medicinkort (FMK) som en øjenåbner. “Jeg har kendt FMK i mange år gennem tidligere ansættelser, men anede ikke, at Trifork Digital Health var leverandør. Det var en positiv overraskelse, og det viste mig, hvor ydmygt Trifork arbejder – de gør en kæmpe forskel uden at råbe højt om det.”
Læringskurven og motivation i hverdagen
At starte i IT-branchen uden en teknisk uddannelse kan være udfordrende, men for Rikke har det været en rejse fyldt med læring. En af de personer, der virkelig vækkede hendes interesse for IT-systemers usynlige lag, var Michael Mogensen, en IT-udvikler på Hospitalsapoteket. ‘Han lærte mig at se, hvordan de bagvedliggende systemer fungerede, og det var en øjenåbner for mig,’ fortæller Rikke. Det var her, hun for alvor begyndte at forstå, hvordan teknologi kunne understøtte det sundhedsfaglige arbejde og skabe bedre arbejdsgange.
Denne forståelse gav hende modet til at dykke dybere ned i IT-verdenen. ‘Jeg er blevet overrasket over, hvor meget jeg rent faktisk kan finde ud af, og hvor vigtigt det er at være nysgerrig og turde stille spørgsmål,’ siger hun.
Hos Trifork har hun fundet en kultur, hvor hendes faglighed bliver værdsat, og hvor hun har mulighed for at udvikle sig på trods af en ikke-teknisk baggrund.
“Man bliver ikke afvist, men inviteret med. Jeg har fået mulighed for at lære alt fra SQL til automatiserede tests. Det er en kultur, hvor det handler om at bidrage med det, man er god til, og hvor man samtidig kan vokse fagligt.”
Hendes daglige motivation kommer fra variationen i arbejdet. “Ingen dage er ens, og jeg lærer noget nyt hver dag. Det, der driver mig, er at sikre, at de løsninger, vi udvikler, giver reel værdi for slutbrugerne – det er fantastisk at se teknologien gøre en forskel.”
Brænder for fællesnationale sundhedsløsninger
Hvis der er ét område, Rikke brænder særligt for, er det fællesnationale sundhedsløsninger. Hun ser en stor værdi i at skabe systemer, der kan bruges på tværs af sektorer og understøtte sundhedspersonale i hele landet.
“Når vi udvikler løsninger, der samler data på tværs af systemer og giver sundhedspersonale et bedre beslutningsgrundlag, så gør vi en reel forskel. Det er det, der motiverer mig.”
Råd til kvinder, der overvejer en karriere i IT
Rikkes bedste råd til kvinder, der overvejer IT-branchen, er enkelt:
“Følg din interesse og vær ikke bange for at tage chancer. Din uddannelse definerer ikke dine muligheder. Hvis du har nysgerrigheden og viljen, kan du finde din vej ind i IT.”
For hende selv har tre ord defineret rejsen: Interesse baner vejen.
Og netop den indstilling har bragt hende fra apoteket til en karriere i digital sundhed hos Trifork.
ENGLISH:
From Pharmaconomist to Clinical Domain Expert
Rikke Grøngaard Madsbjerg’s journey into the IT industry didn’t start in front of a computer screen but behind the counter at a private pharmacy. As a pharmaconomist, she was quickly given a key responsibility: working with the DD (Dosisdispensering) system( developed by her now colleagues at Trifork.) This sparked her curiosity about how IT could improve processes in the healthcare sector.
Over time, her interest grew. At the hospital pharmacy, she gained experience with clinical IT systems like ApoVision and EPR. Later, while working in procurement and logistics, she became a superuser, diving deeper into the systems’ functionalities. As a data manager, she began working across IT systems and discovered the potential of digitalization in healthcare.
A Childhood Dream and a Chance Coffee Meeting
As a child, Rikke dreamed of becoming a doctor or a dentist but realized that blood and the sound of breaking bones were not for her. Instead, she found a way to contribute to the healthcare sector – just from a different perspective.
It wasn’t a traditional IT education that paved her way. Instead, it was a combination of curiosity, professional interest, and encouragement from a friend.
“My friend Nana from Trifork reached out to me several times and invited me for coffee. There, I met our CEO, and suddenly, the IT industry didn’t seem so far away,” Rikke recalls.
After several years of working with IT-related tasks in Region Nord, she became a product owner for ApoVision – a role that bridged her pharmaceutical expertise with digital health solutions. This confirmed her belief that IT was a natural extension of her professional background.
Bringing Clinical Expertise into IT
Today, Rikke works at Trifork Digital Health as a clinical domain expert. She serves as a bridge between developers and healthcare professionals, ensuring that digital health solutions are not only technically sound but also make sense in clinical practice.
“I translate the healthcare language for developers and vice versa. It’s about making sure digital tools support workflows so that they truly ease the daily work of doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals,” she explains.
One of the projects she is most proud of is KvikVacc, which supported the COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Another is the adverse reaction reporting service, where she was not only the project manager but also had the opportunity to code automated tests.
She also highlights her work with the Shared Medication Record (FMK) as an eye-opener. “I had known FMK for years from previous jobs but had no idea that Trifork Digital Health was the provider. That was a pleasant surprise and showed me how humbly Trifork operates – they make a huge impact without shouting about it.”
Learning Curve and Daily Motivation
Starting in IT without a technical education can be challenging, but for Rikke, it has been a journey filled with learning. One of the people who truly sparked her interest in IT systems’ invisible layers was Michael Mogensen, an IT developer at the hospital pharmacy. “He taught me to see how the underlying systems worked, and that was a revelation for me,” Rikke says. It was here that she truly began to understand how technology could support healthcare work and improve workflows.
This understanding gave her the confidence to dive deeper into the world of IT. “I was surprised at how much I could actually learn and how important it is to be curious and ask questions,” she says.
At Trifork, she has found a culture where her expertise is valued, and where she has the opportunity to grow despite not having a technical background.
“You’re not dismissed – you’re invited in. I’ve had the opportunity to learn everything from SQL to automated testing. It’s a culture where contributing what you’re good at matters, while also allowing room for professional growth.”
Her daily motivation comes from the variety in her work. “No two days are the same, and I learn something new every day. What drives me is ensuring that the solutions we develop bring real value to the end users – it’s amazing to see technology make a difference.”
Passion for National Healthcare Solutions
If there is one area Rikke is particularly passionate about, it is national healthcare solutions. She sees great value in creating systems that can be used across sectors and support healthcare professionals nationwide.
“When we develop solutions that integrate data across systems and provide healthcare professionals with a better decision-making foundation, we make a real difference. That’s what motivates me.”
Advice for Women Considering a Career in IT
Rikke’s best advice for women considering the IT industry is simple:
“Follow your interests and don’t be afraid to take risks. Your education does not define your opportunities. If you have curiosity and determination, you can find your way into IT.”
For her, four words define her journey: Interest paves the way.
And that mindset has taken her from the pharmacy to a career in digital health at Trifork.
