Overview
Introduces the concepts of ethics and moral behaviour as it relates to the governance of Digital Health and health informatics.
We can no longer imagine health and health care without (digital) technology: from before we are born until we become old and/or sick, the use of technology is inseparable from the delivery of health services. In this paper, students will analyse the ethical challenges arising from this technology use based on specific case studies, including artificial intelligence, wearables, the Internet of Things, and remote monitoring technology for older adults. Next to the classic privacy and security concerns, other ethical implications will be discussed, focusing on equity, bias, patient empowerment, responsibility, and the patient-provider relationship.
About this paper
| Paper title | Digital Health Information Governance and Ethics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Digital Health |
| EFTS | 0.2500 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $3,486.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- HEIN 707, HEIX 707
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinator: Dr Tania Moerenhout, Bioethics Centre, OMS
- Paper Structure
This paper will be structured along four life phases, considering the ethical questions of digital technology use in each phase: Before Birth; Leading a Healthy Life; When Illness Strikes; In Old Age. Ethical questions will be evaluated on the level of the individual user or patient, within the health care system and in broader society.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
- Textbooks
All material will be available on Moodle. There are no specific textbooks to be used for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to evaluate emerging health technologies to suggest solutions to ethical challenges, as they will have developed the following skills:
- Relate ethical theories and bioethical principles and values to health technology use.
- Conduct strategic literature searches on digital health ethics.
- Debate contemporary issues and challenges in digital health ethics and data governance.
- Discuss indigenous data governance and sovereignty, specifically related to Māori in the New Zealand context.
- Apply ethical frameworks to screen or evaluate digital health technologies.
Overview
Introduces the concepts of ethics and moral behaviour as it relates to the governance of Digital Health and health informatics.
Digital technology is now inseparable from healthcare, from direct-to-consumer genetic testing to AI-driven diagnostics to digital assistive technologies for older adults. But what happens when these technologies cause harm? How can they be designed responsibly? DIGH 707 equips you to answer these questions.
Drawing on real-world case studies, you will develop the analytical skills to identify ethical risks in digital health systems and propose principled solutions. Topics range from classic concerns such as privacy and security to emerging challenges in algorithmic bias, equity, informed consent, and the shifting dynamics of the patient–provider relationship. You will also engage with indigenous data governance, with particular attention to Māori data sovereignty in the New Zealand context.
This paper is particularly relevant for health professionals navigating digital transformation, IT professionals working in health systems, and those with a background in bioethics, law, or policy who want to engage with the realities of healthcare technology. Whether you come from clinical practice, health informatics, computer science, law, or the humanities, your perspective will enrich the conversation.
About this paper
| Paper title | Digital Health Information Governance and Ethics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Digital Health |
| EFTS | 0.2500 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- HEIN 707, HEIX 707
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinator: Dr Tania Moerenhout, Bioethics Centre, OMS
- Paper Structure
DIGH 707 is structured around four life stages - Before Birth, Leading a Healthy Life, When Illness Strikes and In Old Age - offering a unique lens through which to examine technology's role across the health continuum. Each week combines a two-hour seminar focused on key concepts and specific technology cases with a one-hour workshop featuring guest speakers and more in-depth interactive discussions. All sessions are delivered via Zoom and recorded, making this paper accessible wherever you are based.
- Teaching Arrangements
This distance learning paper is delivered fully online, with regular live sessions that are recorded and available on demand through our learning platform. Flexible by design, it fits around your professional commitments - while still offering plenty of opportunity for group discussion and collaboration, both in live classes and online. Classes will be held in the early evening on Wednesdays and Friday lunchtime.
- Textbooks
All material will be available on Aoroa. There are no specific textbooks to be used for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to evaluate emerging health technologies to suggest solutions to ethical challenges, as they will have developed the following skills:
- Relate ethical theories and bioethical principles and values to health technology use.
- Conduct strategic literature searches on digital health ethics.
- Debate contemporary issues and challenges in digital health ethics and data governance.
- Discuss indigenous data governance and sovereignty, specifically related to Māori in the New Zealand context.
- Apply ethical frameworks to screen or evaluate digital health technologies.