Digital health

Digital health should be incorporated into the universities' programs. In this way, they can prepare students for a future in which digital health technologies play a central role in healthcare delivery and management. The goal is to create a workforce that is not only technologically proficient but also sensitive to the ethical and social implications of digital health.

Universities should consider including the following aspects in their curricula:

• Health Informatics: This is the study of how health data is captured, transmitted, and utilized. Students must understand electronic health records, health information exchanges, and the secure handling of patient data.
• Telemedicine: With the rise of remote healthcare, students should learn about delivering clinical services from a distance. This includes understanding the technology, regulations, and best practices for virtual consultations and remote patient monitoring.
• Mobile Health (mHealth): The use of mobile devices in health care is rapidly expanding. Universities should teach about app development for health monitoring, patient engagement, and health promotion strategies.
• Wearable Technologies: Wearables are increasingly used for continuous health monitoring. Curricula should cover the design and function of these devices, data analysis, and their integration into personalized healthcare.
• Big Data and Analytics: Students should learn how to analyze large datasets to identify trends, improve healthcare delivery, and inform public health policy. This includes understanding data mining, predictive modelling, and machine learning applications in health.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI is transforming healthcare through diagnostic algorithms, personalized medicine, and operational efficiencies. Education should focus on the development, validation, and ethical use of AI in healthcare.
• Regulatory and Ethical Aspects: Digital health technologies must comply with regulations, and students should be aware of the legal landscape, including privacy laws and ethical considerations of digital health interventions.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Students should be encouraged to develop innovative solutions to healthcare challenges. This includes understanding the process of bringing digital health products to market and the business models that underpin the digital health sector.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Digital health requires collaboration across disciplines. Curricula should foster an understanding of how different fields, such as engineering, computer science, and healthcare, can work together to innovate.