Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Health, Med & Behav Science Fac
This course introduces you to the utility of information and communication technologies (ICT) within modern healthcare practice. You will learn about a range of digital technologies and applications in the areas of clinical practice, education and administration that are fast becoming commonplace. The course fosters awareness of digital health at national and international levels; it examines the characteristics of digital health innovation, strategic vision and deployment in various countries such as Australia, US, Canada, Europe and the developing world. While evaluating the technological advances relative to patient-centred care, you will also study the potential pitfalls of the use of technology in healthcare. The course draws attention to the associated social, ethical, legal issues and workflow issues that must be considered when integrating digital health into clinical practice.
HLTH7001 is an introductory course in digital health; the focus is the uptake and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in modern healthcare. You will learn about digital health technologies, telecommunication techniques and interdisciplinary digital health applications that are becoming commonplace in healthcare. This course covers the use of digital patient data, electronic health records, electronic forms, secure messaging, telehealth, mobile health, and clinical decision-making tools, as well as the impact and implication of such methods on patient-centred healthcare work practices. Integrating technology in a healthcare environment is considered a catalyst for innovative and effective patient care. HTLH7001 will examine the impact of ICT integration in healthcare and other factors such as human resources, economics and government policies. Through practical examples, case-based scenarios and hands-on projects, this course will set you on the path to thinking critically about issues related to digital health at both national and international levels.
Course contact
School enquiries
School enquiries
Medical School Student and Academic Administration Team
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Associate Professor Sisira Edirippulige
Dr Soraia De Camargo Catapan
Timetable
Additional timetable information
This is a fully online course; there are no live sessions that you will need to timetable. All learning material will be available via Learn.UQ (Blackboard) on the Course Content page.
Aims and outcomes
This course introduces you to the interface of technology and healthcare and draws your attention to several key questions:
- Has digital health the potential to improve access to care and healthcare outcomes for different patient groups and populations?
- Does digital health improve clinical decision making, diagnostics and management, patient safety, clinician satisfaction, team work, workflows and organisational efficiency?
- What are the implications of digital technologies on population health and health literacy?
Studying current research evidence and referring to actual current practice, you will explore the impact and implications of digital health on how healthcare is delivered. The course invites you to dwell on definitions of digital health and examine the historical developments and the types of digital health applications currently having a noticeable impact on the health care sector.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the relevance and importance of digital health within the domain of safe and effective patient-centred care
LO2.
Have a contemporary knowledge of the domestic and international drivers of digital health strategy, policy, research and innovation
LO3.
Be able to identify the types of information and communication technologies currently utilised in healthcare and their impact
LO4.
Appreciate how interoperable electronic health records and digitised healthcare data assist optimal clinical decision making
LO5.
Have the ability to critique the advantages and potential challenges prior to integrating digital health technologies into clinical work practices
LO6.
Be able to reflect on the suitability of digital tools, applications and information sites to improve population health literacy
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique, Reflection |
Assessment 1: Critical Reflection (Part A)
|
15% |
22/08/2025 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique, Reflection |
Assessment 1: Critical Reflection (Part B)
|
15% |
5/09/2025 5:00 pm |
| Poster |
Academic Poster (Infographic)
|
30% |
26/09/2025 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique, Presentation |
Assessment 3: Video Presentation
|
40% |
31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Assessment 1: Critical Reflection (Part A)
- Team or group-based
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Reflection
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
22/08/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Task Goal
To demonstrate the understanding of the concepts presented in the weekly topics and to demonstrate the critical thinking ability to relate the course learnings into ongoing changing in the healthcare settings and clinical practice.
Submission Guideline:
· This is an individual activity.
· We exclusively use the UQ e-learning platform (Blackboard).
· Write a critical reflection on the topic provided.
· The written piece should describe key take-away learning from the associated teaching modules.
· Critically self-reflect and examine your previous knowledge, beliefs and pre-conceptions concerning the concepts and learnings about digital health.
· Contrast and critically assess the evidence presented.
· The word limit is 300 words (without references). A 10% on each side of the limit is permitted.
· Use a maximum of 5 references applying the Vancouver referencing style.
Submission guidelines
Submit via UQ e-learning platform (Blackboard).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Must apply via formal channels.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment 1: Critical Reflection (Part B)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Reflection
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
5/09/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Task Goal
To demonstrate the understanding of the concepts presented in the weekly topics and to demonstrate the critical thinking ability to relate the course learnings into ongoing changing in the healthcare settings and clinical practice.
Submission Guideline:
· This is an individual activity.
· We exclusively use the UQ e-learning platform (Blackboard).
· Write a critical reflection on the topic provided.
· The written piece should describe key take-away learning from the associated teaching modules.
· Critically self-reflect and examine your previous knowledge, beliefs and pre-conceptions concerning the concepts and learnings about digital health.
· Contrast and critically assess the evidence presented.
· The word limit is 300 words (without references). A 10% on each side of the limit is permitted.
· Use a maximum of 5 references applying the Vancouver referencing style
Submission guidelines
Submit via UQ e-learning platform (Blackboard).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Must apply via formal channels.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Academic Poster (Infographic)
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
26/09/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Task Goal
The objective of this assessment task is to consolidate the course learning by researching and then summarising a specific aspect of digital health in an infographic style presentation.
Students can choose a digital health application (ex. EMR, mHealth App) OR an issue relating to digital health (ex. Medico-legal problems, trust in digital health) as the topic of the infographics. Students are encouraged to discuss the topic and confirm the suitability of the topic prior to working on it.
Submission Guideline:
· Task must be completed offline and uploaded on Blackboard
· The work should resemble to a scientific poster
· Work should demonstrate the individual research carried out on the topic
· This should provide evidence to support argumets
· Use maximum of 7 references applying the Vancouver referencing style.
Criteria & Marking:
UQ Students: Please access the profile from Learn.UQ or mySI-net to access marking criteria held in this profile.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via link on Course Assessment page Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Must apply via formal channels.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment 3: Video Presentation
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
31/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Task Goal
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and application relevant to digital health technologies in the healthcare system.
This assessment task aims to consolidate the learnings of the entire course by describing, analysing and evaluating a specific digital health application or an issue in a video presentation. Students are expected to complete this assessment offline and submit it via Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Task Description: Students will be provided a topic related to a digital health application or an issue relevant to digital health in healthcare services. Students are expected to undertake research on the topic referring to course material and current literature to address key criteria of the assessment task. Then students are required to record a 10-12 minute long video and upload on Blackboard.
Submission Guideline:
· This is an online activity
· We exclusively use the UQ e-learning platform Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
· Recorded and upload a 10-12 minute video presentation describing a digital health intervention OR an issue relevant to digital health based on the topic provided.
· The video should be based on the topic provided
· It should be evidence based
· Use maximum of 10 references applying the Vancouver referencing style.
Criteria & Marking:
UQ Students: Please access the profile from Learn.UQ or mySI-net to access marking criteria held in this profile.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Must apply by formal channels
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assignments gaining grade of Fail - attains an overall mark less than 25%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assignments gaining grade of Fail - attains an overall mark of at least 25% but less than 45%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Assignments gaining grade of Fail - attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than 50%. Please note: You will be unable to achieve a grade above 3 if you do not complete all Assessment items, regardless of overall course performance. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assignments a gaining a grade of Pass - attains an overall mark of at least 50% but less than 65%. Please note: To achieve a grade of 4 or above, you mustﾠcomplete and submit all Assessment items. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assignments gaining a grade of Credit - attains an overall mark of at least 65% but less than 75%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assignments gaining a grade of Distinction - attains an overall mark of at least 75% but less than 85%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Assignment gaining a grade of High Distinction - attains an overall mark of at least 85%. |
Additional course grading information
Calculation of Final Grade
The percentage mark for this course is reached by calculating the weighted average percentage mark achieved across the marked assessment tasks. The total of the weighted assessment tasks for the course will be rounded to two decimal points if required, with the final mathematical rounding to an integer at the end yielding a percentage mark. A mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note that all submission dates for assessments are in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
To pass this course you need to submit all Assessment Tasks. You do not have to pass each assessment piece individually but need to gain 50% or more to pass overall.ﾠ
Note - half marks may be given.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support you in completing some assessments. You may appropriately use AI in completing assessment tasks for this course. Assessment tasks in this course are designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
You must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 4 |
Problem-based learning |
Module 1 – What is Digital Health? Covers Weeks 1 - 4 of teaching Week 1: Introduction to digital health and health systems: Topic one will review the definitions of digital health and introduce the Australian healthcare system in the context of digital health. Week 2: Evolution of digital health & informatics: Topic two will focus on the historical development and uptake of information communication technology, data and data exchange. Week 3: Underpinning of digital health: Topic three explores the factors underpinning digital health transformation of healthcare, i.e., 'what' the problems are and 'why' digital health may fix them. Week 4: What drives digital health transformation?: Topic four will discuss the key aims and objectives of digital health. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 5 To Week 8 |
Problem-based learning |
Module 2 – Digital Health and Patient-Centred Care Covers Weeks 5 - 8 of teaching Week 5: Clinical decision-making & digital health (Review): Topic five explores the uses of digital health in clinical decision-making, its application in in-patient care, iEMR uses, and information systems. Week 6: Telemonitoring and virtual care (Review): Topic six is an overview of contemporary digital technology and applications that enable independent living, ageing in place, in-home monitoring and rehabilitation in the out-patient care setting. Week 7: Mobile devices and health (Review): Topic seven discusses consumer personal mobile devices, wearables and remote monitoring and how data can improve clinical decision-making, client engagement and health literacy. Week 8: AI technologies and personalised medicine (Review): Topic eight explores the secondary use of digitised health data for personalised medicine, data analytics to improve organisational efficiencies and workflow, machine learning applications for image-based diagnoses, and AR and VR-based rehabilitation therapies. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 9 To Week 13 |
Problem-based learning |
Module 3 – Population Health Goes Digital Covers Weeks 9 - 13 of teaching Week 9: Person-centred care (Review): Topic nine explores the importance of person-centred care, digital health literacy, its meaning, and its role in engaging patients and their communities in healthcare. It also discusses strategies for building sustainable health changes. Week 10: Integration and implementation: Topic ten discusses ethical, medical, legal and social considerations for implementing digital health technologies. It also explores system interoperability and design for efficient digital health implementation. Week 11: Integration Strategies: Topic eleven explores sustainability, system interoperability, data privacy, security, compliance, and common reasons for the failure of digital clinical applications. It also overviews the funding system and economic evaluation of Australia's current digital health model. Week 12: Global status of digital health (Review): Topic twelve compares and contrasts various countries' current global digital health adoption and emerging trends. Week 13: Review (Review): In the final teaching week, we will review the important concepts discussed throughout the course to assist in preparation for the final Assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Additional learning activity information
All learning material is organised by module/teaching week and will be available prior to relevant teaching week on the Course Content page Learn.UQ (Blackboard). As this is a fully online course students can engage with the content at a time that suits. Students are encouraged to stay up to date on a weekly basis; this will enable optimal preparation for assessment.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.