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Introduction to Digital health

Ana Luisa Neves

This course introduces the field of digital health and the key concepts and definitions in this emerging field. The key topics include Learning Health Systems and Electronic Health Records and various types of digital health technologies to include mobile applications, wearable technologies, health information systems, telehealth, telemedicine, machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data. These technologies are assessed in terms of the key opportunities and challenges to their use and the evidence of their effectiveness in the field of digital health in relation to public health and healthcare globally. The use and application of digital health for COVID-19 forms a case study demonstrating the use of different types of digital health technologies to address key aspects of the response to the virus globally.

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Syllabus

Introduction to Digital Health
This module will introduce the key concepts and definitions in digital health. You will soon learn that it is a rapidly changing and emerging field. We will also ask for your thoughts early in this week about your own understanding of digital health. You will then be introduced to the growth in digital health technologies, the global distribution of these technologies and the inequalities that exist in terms of access to, and usage of, different forms of digital health technologies to include smartphones, social media and access to the internet. Given this introduction, you will then be introduced to key examples of how digital health projects have been implemented badly, with an example from the UK through the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) and examples of where it has been extremely successful, for example, Estonia.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the fundamentals of digital health as an emerging field
Provides an in-depth understanding of various digital health technologies like mHealth, telehealth, AI, and big data
Introduces Learning Health Systems and Electronic Health Records, which are essential digital health components
Emphasizes the role of digital health in global public health, including epidemic preparedness and response
Relates the concepts to real-world use cases, providing practical insights into digital health applications

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive foundational overview of digital health

According to learners, this course offers an excellent foundational understanding of digital health, providing a comprehensive overview of key concepts and technologies. Many appreciate the well-structured content and the inclusion of timely real-world case studies, such as the application of digital health in the COVID-19 response and the Ebola epidemic, which make complex ideas tangible. Students commend the knowledgeable and clear instructors from Imperial College London. While highly regarded as an ideal introduction for new learners, some more experienced professionals find that certain topics lack in-depth coverage, and a few reviews suggest that some content could benefit from updates to reflect the rapid pace of technological advancements.
Serves as a strong foundation for those new to the field.
"Highly recommended for anyone looking to get started in this field."
"This course is perfect for anyone wanting to understand the landscape of digital health."
"Excellent foundational course. It covers the core concepts and various technologies comprehensively."
"It definitely serves as a good 'introduction' but don't expect to become an expert."
Features timely and engaging real-world case studies.
"I particularly appreciated the real-world case studies, like the Ebola one, which made the concepts tangible."
"The COVID-19 case study was very timely and relevant, demonstrating how digital health technologies are applied in practice."
"The balance between theory and real-world examples (like the Ebola tracing and COVID-19 response) was just right."
"The case studies were engaging, particularly the Estonia example, showing successful national implementation."
Provides a broad and well-structured introduction to the field.
"This course provided an excellent, comprehensive overview of digital health. The content was well-structured, easy to understand, and covered a broad range of topics."
"Fantastic course! I found the modules on Learning Health Systems and interoperability extremely valuable."
"A very informative course for understanding the breadth of digital health. It covers legal, ethical, and practical aspects alongside technological introductions."
"The breadth of topics is impressive, covering mobile health, wearables, AI, and even big data."
Some material may not reflect the latest advancements.
"The content is somewhat dated in parts, especially concerning the pace of technological advancements. While it provides a good overview, some of the examples feel a bit old."
"I wish they would update some of the stats or examples more frequently."
"Good for basics, but keep in mind technology moves fast, so some information might quickly become obsolete."
May feel superficial for experienced professionals.
"However, because it covers so much, some topics felt a bit superficial. I would have liked more depth on machine learning applications."
"The course gives a broad introduction, but it's very basic. If you have any prior experience with IT or healthcare, you might find some parts too simplistic."
"I didn't feel like I gained actionable insights. The focus was too much on general concepts and not enough on how these technologies are actually implemented."
"Maybe it's good for absolute beginners, but I found it lacking if you are looking for advanced material."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Digital health with these activities:
Review your knowledge of databases
Retrieving data is a fundamental skill in digital health
Browse courses on Databases
Show steps
  • Review your notes from a previous database course
  • Complete a few practice SQL queries
  • Create a small database of your own
Follow a tutorial on how to use
Data mining and predictive analytics are essential skills for digital health professionals
Browse courses on Data Mining
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial on data mining or predictive analytics
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step
  • Complete the exercises at the end of the tutorial
Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Digital health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Health Informatics Specialist
Health Informatics Specialists use their knowledge of healthcare and information technology to design, implement, and manage health information systems. This course provides a foundation in digital health technologies, including mobile applications, wearable technologies, health information systems, telehealth, telemedicine, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data. This knowledge can be valuable for Health Informatics Specialists as they work to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Informatics Specialist
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants analyze and evaluate healthcare systems, identify areas for improvement, and develop and implement solutions to improve patient care and outcomes. This course provides a comprehensive overview of digital health, including the key concepts and definitions, various types of digital health technologies, and their use and application in public health and healthcare globally. This knowledge can be valuable for Healthcare Consultants as they work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, data analysis, and machine learning to solve problems and make predictions. This course provides an introduction to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data in the context of digital health. This knowledge can be valuable for Data Scientists as they work to develop new and innovative solutions to improve healthcare.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze and evaluate business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Business Analysts as they work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Public Health Officer
Public Health Officers work to protect and improve the health of communities. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Public Health Officers as they work to improve the health of their communities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Officer
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and outbreaks. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Epidemiologists as they work to investigate and prevent disease outbreaks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist
Health Educator
Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote healthy behaviors. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Health Educators as they work to promote healthy behaviors and improve the health of their communities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts analyze and evaluate health policies and programs. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Health Policy Analysts as they work to develop and implement effective health policies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst
Health Economist
Health Economists analyze the cost and effectiveness of health care interventions. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Health Economists as they work to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of digital health interventions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist
Medical Writer
Medical Writers create and edit written materials about medical and health-related topics. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Medical Writers as they work to create and edit written materials about digital health.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates manage and conduct clinical trials. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Clinical Research Associates as they work to manage and conduct clinical trials of digital health interventions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate
Health Information Manager
Health Information Managers oversee the management and use of health information. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Health Information Managers as they work to manage and use digital health information.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the delivery of healthcare services. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Healthcare Administrators as they work to plan, direct, and coordinate the delivery of digital health services.
See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Software Engineers as they work to develop new and innovative digital health solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course provides an overview of the key concepts and definitions in digital health, as well as various types of digital health technologies. This knowledge can be valuable for Project Managers as they work to manage digital health projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Digital health.
Cover image
The Patient Will See You Now
Save
Explores the transformative potential of digital health technologies, empowering patients to take control of their health and revolutionizing the healthcare system.
The Patient Will See You Now: The Future of...
Hardcover
$$
The Patient Will See You Now: The Future of...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Digital Doctor: Hope, Hype, and Harm at the...
Save
Examines the promises and pitfalls of digital health, drawing on the author's experiences as a physician and a leading expert in the field.
The Digital Doctor: Hope, Hype, and Harm at the...
Paperback
$$
The Digital Doctor: Hope, Hype, and Harm at the...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Consolidated telemedicine implementation guide
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of telemedicine, covering the key concepts, technologies, and applications in this rapidly evolving field.
Consolidated telemedicine implementation guide
Paperback
Check
Consolidated telemedicine implementation guide
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Legal Medicine - E-BOOK
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of digital health, covering the key concepts, technologies, and applications in this rapidly evolving field.
Legal Medicine - E-BOOK: Health Care Law and...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Who's Who in Finance and Business
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of digital health, covering the key concepts, technologies, and applications in this rapidly evolving field.
Who's Who in Finance and Business
Paperback
Check
Who's Who in Finance and Business
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice E-Book
Save
Focuses on the management of healthcare technology, providing insights into the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health information systems and other digital health technologies.
Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice E-Book
Paperback
Check
Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice E-Book
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Imperial College London
Instructor
Ana Luisa Neves
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша
This course belongs to a collection called Digital Health. It's comprised of three courses:
  1. Introduction to Digital health (viewing)
  2. Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions
  3. Design and Implementation of Digital Health Interventions
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the fundamentals of digital health as an emerging field
Provides an in-depth understanding of various digital health technologies like mHealth, telehealth, AI, and big data
Introduces Learning Health Systems and Electronic Health Records, which are essential digital health components
Emphasizes the role of digital health in global public health, including epidemic preparedness and response
Relates the concepts to real-world use cases, providing practical insights into digital health applications
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