Digital Health Technologies

Digital Health Technologies

CPD - short course
Digital health

What is an RCSI Online short course?

RCSI understands that your future in healthcare is digital and the imperative for healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge for effective adaptation to digital tools. Our course, Digital Health Technologies, is meticulously designed to elevate your skill with specific technologies reshaping the healthcare landscape.

This unique course is a fully self-paced, on-demand learning experience, ideal for busy professionals seeking flexibility. Unlike our traditional courses that feature live webinars, this course offers you the freedom to engage with the material at your own pace and on your own schedule. Delivered through an array of diverse and engaging media formats, including interactive videos, quizzes, and tailored activities, the course material is both accessible and engaging. Each module has been crafted by industry experts, ensuring that the content is not only relevant but also rooted in real-world applications. This dynamic approach to learning allows you to immerse yourself in the course themes, apply your knowledge through practical exercises, and ultimately earn an RCSI Certificate upon completion. 

RCSI Online's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Digital Health Technologies course provides an overview of technologies used in the recent past, their influence on current technologies, and the potential impact of future advancements in the sector. Embrace the opportunity to learn at your convenience, apply digital technologies in your clinical environment, and conquer challenges with confidence. 

Why Digital Health Technologies?

Digital Health Technologies introduce a groundbreaking approach to healthcare, leveraging technological advancements to enhance patient care, streamline processes, and improve overall efficiency. Throughout the course, you will address the challenges and complexities associated with electronic health records, gaining valuable insights into their intricacies, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes.

RCSI Online's short Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course is designed to guide you through the diverse spectrum of digital healthcare solutions and the evolution of information and communications technology (ICT) in the health sector. The modules places special emphasis on delving into the insights provided by the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), recognised as the world's largest health informatics organisation. This course also offers an in-depth examination of virtual care and augmented reality (AR), their relevance to healthcare and how the pandemic has spurred advancements in these areas.

Whether you're a healthcare professional in clinical or managerial roles, or an individual seeking insight into digital technologies in modern healthcare, this CPD course offers valuable content. It may also appeal to IT professionals working in the healthcare sector.

Join us on this transformative journey to gain understanding of how Digital Health Technologies are reshaping healthcare, and how key advancements in virtual care and augmented reality (AR) are playing pivotal roles in the evolving landscape.

register your interest

Follow in the path of former students who have embraced 230 years of teaching excellence. Driven by the promise of 'leading the world to better health', RSCI has been at the forefront of international healthcare education since our establishment in 1784, and we have a worldwide reputation for delivering excellent Undergraduate and Postgraduate health professions education.

RCSI's singular healthcare focus is evident through all our Postgraduate programmes, offering innovative, insight-rich and immersive development opportunities for both current and future leaders in healthcare.

Participants on this five-week course will learn about: 

  • Digital health and the solutions and applications enabling it.
  • The opportunities and challenges associated with electronic health records, and their continuing evolution.
  • The success factors for implementing virtual care and augmented reality in healthcare.
  • The opportunities and challenges associated with consumer health technologies and data 

By the end of the course, you will be able to identify digital technologies that can be applied to your workplace, and explain how you can overcome challenges to sucessfully 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: Develop your individual action plan based on your learnings. Continuous feedback and guidance will be provided throughout the module, aligning with formative progress milestones and the weekly focus on the student summative.

This five-week course is fully online, so that you can study at a pace that suits your lifestyle. You will not be required to attend live sessions, ensuring flexibility for your schedule. The course consists of five weeks of content, including four weeks of teaching and a final week for completing a personal learning plan. Learning content is delivered primarily through pre-recorded video lectures and online activities.

Each week, there will be a recorded 90-minute webinar available, focusing on key topics. These webinars are accessible at any time for your convenience.

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.

David Rowlands

David Rowlands is a management consultant specialising in health and health informatics and has recently launched the Digital Health Workforce Academy – a provider of online training courses in health informatics – in collaboration with HISA. David has a broad background in the health sector and has worked for public sector health agencies in two states as well as the Commonwealth Department and has held Directorships in a variety of not-for-profit health and related agencies. David’s executive roles have included managing health services; health service planning and performance management; information management and management of corporate services and has also led national strategic initiatives in Australia and Asia.

David is a former HISA Chair and remains committed to developing Australia’s health informatics capabilities. He is the author of A Practitioner’s Guide to Health Informatics in Australia, available through the HISA Shop.

Live classes Start date 
Induction 15 January 2024
Live class 1 18 January 2024
Live class 2 25 January 2024
Live class 3 1 February 2024
Live class 4 8 February 2024

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.

Note: RCSI accepts no obligation to refund any fee, or part thereof, in respect of a participant who chooses to withdraw from or does not complete a course.

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