Digital Health Technologies

By the end of the course, you will be able to..

• Identify digital technologies that can be applied to your workplace.
• Explain how you can overcome challenges to successfully use them.

• Week 1: In this introductory week, you will explore digital healthcare solutions and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) evolution, understanding wider issues, opportunities, and challenges in the digital healthcare revolution. Delve into distinctions between administrative, clinical systems, and decision-support tools in healthcare.

• Week 2: Examine the 30-year evolution of electronic health records, using insights from Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) to assess your organisation's record maturity. Tackle challenges in electronic health records, including potential increased demands on healthcare professionals. Investigate interoperability and recording systems, like those implemented at the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin.

• Week 3: Understand virtual care and augmented reality (AR), their relevance in healthcare, and advancements during the pandemic. Learn about telehealth, remote monitoring, and the transformative potential of AR in healthcare education and patient experience. Examine barriers to virtual care and AR, considering financial, administrative, and geographic factors.

• Week 4: Assess consumer health technologies, including mobile devices, wearables, and implantable technologies. Evaluate challenges to widespread use, taking into account regulatory standards and medical reliability, while also exploring upcoming advancements in this healthcare field.

• Week 5: In the final week, you will reflect on your learning and develop a personal action plan, focusing on actionable and applicable changes tailored to your specific workplace and context.

We understand that online learning might be a new experience for some. Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is intuitive, accessible, and easy to navigate. A dedicated programme coordinator will be available to assist with any technical difficulties or questions about learning online.

At the start of the course, we provide short orientation videos to familiarise you with the platform and course format.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a RCSI Completion Certificate. Achieving this Certificate and earning continuous professional development (CPD) points involves passing weekly MCQs, engaging in online discussions, and participating in reflective exercises, including the completion of a personal action plan. These components are designed to be flexible, allowing you to progress at your own pace while ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Although this course does not carry credits as per the European Credit Transfer System, it upholds rigorous quality assurance standards to provide an excellent educational experience. The course has been approved by the RCSI Professional Development and Practice Committee and is accredited for CPD points in line with the Irish Medical Council guidelines. Participants seeking recognition in other jurisdictions should verify the applicability of these CPD points as per their local requirements.