Meet the growing demand for specialists in digital health
Healthcare systems are increasingly dependent on data, technology and digital solutions, and consumers expect to use personalised digital technologies to enhance their own individual health and wellbeing. Future roles for healthcare professionals will include the provision and transformation of services using digital technology.
Offered by the Otago Business School, the Department of Information Science, and in partnership with the Otago Medical School, the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health are designed for people working or planning to work in health sector management and leadership roles.
Why study postgraduate digital health?
There is an identified shortage of people with the right skills to meet the growing demand for specialists in digital health. These two programmes will help develop extensive knowledge of technology and skills relevant to digital health theory and practice, and the enhanced ability to integrate this information into the health sector. Graduates will be able to critically evaluate complex problems and communicate potential solutions to the health sector.
- New Zealand’s first digital health programme
- Globally respected teachers
- Build or transform your career in the healthcare sector
Study wherever you are, full time or part time
Delivered online, the course will suit full-time or part-time students who are seeking a qualification in this area but who cannot physically be in Dunedin or are unable to take leave from employment or other commitments.
Both programmes are taught fully online with the flexibility to attend class virtually and study from home. Live lectures allow you to engage with classmates and teachers in real time.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal) can be completed in a minimum of 12 months.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health (PGDipDigHeal) can be completed in a minimum of 24 months.
Background required
Applicants should be a graduate in a relevant field, or hold a relevant professional qualification requiring at least three years of full-time tertiary level study. Those with no degree but proven suitable experience in the healthcare sector will be considered.
Career opportunities
There is a vast number of possible roles in the sector:
- Clinical leaders in digital health or informatics
- Healthcare systems project managers
- Informatics specialists
- Digital health consultants
- Health analysts
- Health managers
- Policy advisors
- Health researchers
- Digital health education specialists
- Healthcare leadership and governance specialists
Qualifications
- The Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal)
- The Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health (PGDipDigHeal)
Programme requirements
Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal)
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
DIGH 701 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics* DIGH 703 Digital Health Technologies and Systems* | 30 30 |
| Total | 60 |
Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal)
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
DIGH 701 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics DIGH 703 Digital Health Technologies and Systems Plus elective papers to a total of 60 points chosen from the following list*
| 30 30 60 |
| Total | 120 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIGH701 | 2023 | Principles of Digital Health and Informatics | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| DIGH703 | 2023 | Digital Health Technologies and Systems | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| DIGH706 | 2023 | Research Methods for Digital Health | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| DIGH707 | 2023 | Digital health Information Governance and Ethics | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| DIGH708 | 2023 | Patient-Centred Digital Health | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| DIGH709 | 2023 | Emerging Technologies in Digital Health | 15 points | Semester 2 |
What the professionals have to say
Digital health is a key enabler of health systems transformation across the globe. Digital transformation focuses on improving health and wellness services, which considers the interactions between people, processes and technology.
With the explosion in digital health technologies like big data, AI/machine learning, telehealth and consumer engagement tools, there are many exciting career opportunities in digital health across the globe.
There is a global shortage of digital health expertise and there couldn’t be a more exciting time to be at the forefront of health system transformation.
There is a wide range of opportunities in the public and private sectors including vendors, start-ups and consultancies.
Dr Will Reedy, Chief Executive Officer, Spark Health
I believe the role technology will play in health systems around the world will be transformative in the next 10 years.
Being able to understand emerging technologies that would help us address longstanding barriers to care and improve health outcomes will be one of the most important things you can do to ensure you are future proofing your career and making a meaningful impact.
Dr Angela Lim, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Clearhead
Digital and data in health offer great career opportunities as we transform the system.
It will enable new ways of delivering services, empowering people and whānau to manage their own health and wellbeing, release time for our clinical workforce to focus on patients and be confident in their safety.
Data will change how we make decisions and enable early intervention that can lead to prevention of chronic illnesses and improved population health and wellbeing.
There are economic development opportunities by working with partners to export our successes.
Shayne Hunter, Deputy Director-General, Data and Digital, Ministry of Health New Zealand
Contact us
Dr Chris Paton
Director, Postgraduate Digital Health Programme
Department of Information Science/Otago Medical School
Email digitalhealth@otago.ac.nz
