Inhalt

Abstract:

Global Digital Health (GDH) is an interdisciplinary, fully online course that equips students with the knowledge, analytical skills, and practical competencies needed to understand and shape the Digital Transformation of health systems worldwide. Offered by the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) through the Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern, the 5-ECTS course is designed for Bachelor’s and Master’s students from health, biomedical, technological, managerial, and related disciplines.

Across 20 units, students progress from the foundations of Global Health, Disease Burden, Health Economics, and Evidence-Based Practice to the technological and regulatory dimensions of Digital Health. Core topics include Health Data Standards, Electronic Health Records, Interoperability, Telemedicine, Mobile Health, Remote Monitoring, Extended Reality, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence for Health, Cybersecurity, Ethics, and Regulation. Particular attention is given to contemporary developments such as Generative AI, the European Health Data Space, the EU AI Act, Digital Therapeutics, and data-driven Digital Precision Health (10P-Health) – the new paradigm of the 21st-Century Health and Wellness.

The distinctive Countrynalysis component enables students to apply this knowledge to the comparative assessment of National Health Systems and Digital Health Landscapes. Using a structured framework, students examine governance, health indicators, financing, ICT infrastructure, regulation, interoperability, adoption, and future development in selected countries. This approach advances learning beyond knowing and understanding toward application, analysis, critical evaluation, and the creation of an evidence-based country report.

GDH reflects DIT’s broader commitment to internationally oriented Digital Health Education, Research, and Knowledge Exchange through its Master of Digital Health (MDH) study program, the DigiHealthDay Forum and Event Series, and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Digital Health Education, Research & Development. By connecting global health needs with technological possibilities and real-world implementation contexts, the course prepares learners to contribute responsibly and effectively to equitable, sustainable, and evidence-informed Digital Health Transformation.

Gliederung:

Unit 1: Overview of Digital Health
Unit 2: Global Health Principles, Health Determinants, Measurements & Trends
Unit 3: Burden of Disease – Communicable, Noncommunicable Diseases & Injuries
Unit 4: Economics of Healthcare and Health Technology Assessment
Unit 5: Contemporary Health Research
Unit 6: Technological Basics of Digital Health
Unit 7: Coding of Digital Health Data – Standards, Terminology, Classifications
Unit 8: Electronic Health Records
Unit 9: Health Data Interoperability & Health Information Exchange
Unit 10: Telemedicine & Telehealth in Various Clinical Specialties
Unit 11: Mobile Health & Remote Monitoring in Health and Disease
Unit 12: Enhanced Medical Visualization & Intervention (AR/VR/MR, Robotics)
Unit 13: Artificial Intelligence for Health (AI4H) and Digital Precision Health (10P-Health)
Unit 14: Legislation and Regulation of Digital Health
Unit 15: Data Protection in Digital Health
Unit 16: Countrynalysis – Germany
Unit 17: Countrynalysis – United States
Unit 18: Countrynalysis – Israel
Unit 19: Countrynalysis – Canada
Unit 20: Countrynalysis – Nigeria

Detaillierter Inhalt:

Part 1 covers a comprehensive range of Digital Health topics: definitions and WHO Classification of Digital Health Interventions, public and global health, Sustainable Development Goals, health determinants, demographic and epidemiological transitions, burden of disease (DALYs, HALE), communicable and noncommunicable diseases, health economics, health system models (Beveridge, Bismarck), health technology assessment, evidence-based medicine and PICO framework, ICT fundamentals and network technologies, health data coding (ICD, SNOMED CT, LOINC, DRG, ICF, UMLS), electronic health records and HIMSS EMRAM, interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR, openEHR), European Health Data Space (EHDS), telemedicine in clinical specialties, mobile health and the DiGA pathway, extended reality and robotics in healthcare, artificial intelligence and Digital Precision Health (10P-Health), regulation (EU MDR, GDPR, EU AI Act, DiGA/DiPA), and IT security architecture and cryptography.

Part 2 (Countrynalysis) analyses five countries using a standardised five-section framework: (1) Governance, Regulation and Research in Health, (2) Health Indicators, (3) Health System and Financing, (4) Information and Communication Technology, (5) Digital Health Ecosystem. The countries examined are Germany, the United States, Israel, Canada, and Nigeria.

Lern-/Qualifikationsziele:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

Professional Knowledge and Competences:
- Describe the scope and historical evolution of Digital Health and apply the WHO Classification of Digital Health Interventions.
- Explain core concepts of global health, health determinants, and key health status indicators.
- Analyse the global burden of disease and discuss evidence-based approaches to reducing disease burden.
- Apply basic health economic concepts and health technology assessment methods.
- Explain the technological foundations of Digital Health systems.
- Understand coding systems (ICD, SNOMED CT, LOINC, DRG) and their role in semantic interoperability.
- Describe the functionalities of electronic health records, interoperability standards, and health information exchange.
- Evaluate telemedicine, mobile health, and remote monitoring systems across various clinical contexts.
- Explain applications of artificial intelligence, extended reality, and robotics in healthcare.
- Discuss regulatory frameworks (EU MDR, GDPR, EU AI Act, DiGA) and IT security concepts.

Methodological Expertise:
- Conduct and present a comprehensive, critical analysis of a country's health system, with particular attention to the Digital Health ecosystem.
- Implement theoretically acquired knowledge in a practical and application-oriented manner.

Lehrveranstaltungstyp:

Virtuelle Vorlesung

Interaktionsformen mit Betreuer/in:

Chat, Übungsaufgaben, E-Mail, Video-/Webkonferenz

Interaktionsformen mit Mitlernenden:

Chat, Video-/Webkonferenz, Forum

Kursdemo:

zur Kursdemo

Nutzung

Kurs ist konzipiert für:

Master:
TH Deggendorf: Global Public Health; Life Science Informatics
HAW Neu-Ulm: Digital Health Management (DHM), AI&Health Informatics (AIH)
Uni Augsburg: Vorbereitungskurs/ preparatory course für Medical Information Sciences

Bachelor:
TH Deggendorf: Health Informatics; Bioinformatik; Health&Medical Tourism; Physician Assistant/ Medizinische Versorgung; Management im Gesundheits-,Sozial- und Rettungswesen
HAW Neu-Ulm: Informationsmanagement im Gesundheitswesen; Digital Health (DIH), Digitales Medizin- und Pflegemanagement (DMP); Betriebswirtschaft im Gesundheitswesen (BGW), Physician Assistant (PHA)
TUM: Berufliche Bildung mit Fachrichtung Gesundsheits- und Pflegewissenschaften
Uni Augsburg: Medical Information Sciences

Formale Voraussetzungen:

No formal prerequisites. The course is open to all students enrolled via the vhb.

Erforderliche Vorkenntnisse:

No special prior knowledge required. A basic interest in health sciences and digital technology is recommended.

Hinweise zur Nutzung:

The course is fully online and self-paced within the semester framework. It consists of 20 units with recorded video lectures (40-50 min each), interactive H5P reading material (60-70 min each), and self-assessment quizzes (15-20 min each). Optional live discussions and Q&A sessions are offered throughout the semester. The course language is English. A minimum score of 70% on each unit quiz is required to be eligible to submit the final Countrynalysis report.

Kursumsetzung (verwendete Medien):

Recorded video lectures (2 per unit, 20-25 min each), interactive H5P reading material (CoursePresentation format with embedded graphics, tables, and references), embedded self-assessment quizzes (10 questions per unit), optional synchronous live discussions via videoconference, supplementary reading and reference materials (PDF). The course uses the Learning Management System of Deggendorf Institute of Technology.

Erforderliche Technik:

Internet access, modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), PDF reader. No special software required. Access is via the THD Learning Management System through vhb Shibboleth authentication.

Nutzungsentgelte:

für andere Personen als (reguläre) Studenten der vhb Trägerhochschulen nach Maßgabe der Benutzungs- und Entgeltordnung der vhb

Rechte hinsichtlich des Kursmaterials:

-

Verantwortlich

Anbieterhochschule:

TH Deggendorf

Anbieter:

Prof. Dr. Georgi Chaltikyan

Autoren:

Georgi Chaltikyan

Betreuer:

M.Sc. Jishen Pfeiffer

Prüfung

Art der Prüfung:

schriftlicher Leistungsnachweis (Klausur)

Bemerkung:

the final exam will be a paper

Prüfer:

Prof. Dr. Georgi Chaltikyan

Prüfungsanmeldung erforderlich:

ja

Anmeldeverfahren:

The exam registration and further information will be available in the vhb course.

Prüfungsanmeldefrist:

–

Prüfungsabmeldefrist:

–

Kapazität:

–

Prüfungsdatum:

–

Prüfungszeitraum:

–

Prüfungsdauer:

–

Prüfungsort:

–

Zuständiges Prüfungsamt:

Prüfungsamt der Heimathochschule

Zugelassene Hilfsmittel:

–

Formale Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

Registration in the vhb course.

Inhaltliche Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

Content of the vhb course.

Zertifikat:

Ja (benoteter Leistungsnachweis)

Anerkennung:

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