Technological Innovation and Digital Health



Overview

Exploring the role of technological innovations in health care

This module will critically examine the role of technological innovations in healthcare (such as AI, virtual consultations, networked electronic patient records, assisted living technologies, tele-monitoring and telehealth, smartphone apps, and wearables).

Drawing on real-world examples across a range of social and cultural contexts, we will focus on the social, technical, and ethical issues at play when developing and deploying technologies for health and care.

Over the course of the module, you will be provided with theoretical and practical knowledge  to critically consider the role of technology in different settings, answering questions such as: Why do technologies fail in healthcare? What conditions need to be in place for technological innovations to perform the role(s) intended? How can we make sense of and manage complexity in the introduction and spread of technological innovations? How can we better account for the role of the social setting (organisational or personal routines and practices) in which technologies are introduced?

You will learn to explore opportunities and challenges to the adoption, use and implementation of technology. You will also be equipped with practical skills for the participatory codesign of technology programmes in healthcare. The module will draw on qualitative and quantitative approaches to digital health research.

The last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm Thursday 30th April 2026. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted.

Course Aims

On completion of this module, we expect our students to be able to:

  • Describe and critically apply different theoretical perspectives to study technological innovation and digital health
  • Systematically plan the co-design and development of digital health solutions from participatory approaches
  • Critically analyse challenges to the implementation and use of complex technology-supported health care innovations, including a consideration of the social, cultural, political and regulatory/policy context
  • Explain and justify the use of quantitative and/or qualitative approaches to the research and evaluation of digital health interventions
  • Discuss core and emerging topics in digital health

Examples of research methods and techniques covered in this module:

  • Co-design and participatory methods
  • Ethnographic practice/qualitative methods

Examples of theories and frameworks covered in the module:

  • Sociotechnical theory (For example, critiques to technologic determinism, social construction of technology, sociomateriality, infrastructure theory)
  • Implementation and adoption frameworks (For example, non-adoption, spread, scale-up and sustainability - NASS framework)

Examples of technologies/case studies discussed in this module:

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Remote care and consulting
  • Organisational systems (such as electronic patient records)
  • Assisted living technologies
  • Smartphone-based apps

Programme details

The first two weeks of this module are spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), a week is then spent in Oxford for face-to-face teaching and group work (this takes place on the advertised dates), there are then a series of extended activities (delivered through the VLE) over the following weeks which are designed to support you in the preparation and delivery of the practical elements of your assignment. You will be required to submit your written assignment electronically (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).

 

Fees

Description Costs
Short Course in Health Sciences £3390.00
Students enrolled on MSc in Translational Health Science £2740.00

Funding

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Discounts

If you are an employee of the University of Oxford and have a valid University staff card you may be eligible to receive a 10% discount on the full stand-alone fee. To take advantage of this offer please submit a scan/photocopy of your staff card along with your application. Your card should be valid for a further six months after attending the course.

Tutors

Dr Chrysanthi Papoutsi - Co-Module Coordinator

Dr Chrysanthi Papoutsi is an Associate Professor at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford.

Dr Jackie van Dael - Co-Module Coordinator

Dr Jackie van Dael is a Senior Researcher at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on performance in a group presentation and submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.

A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.

Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.

Please contact ths@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Application

This course requires you to complete the application form and to attach a copy of your CV. If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also be required to provide a reference. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.

Please ensure you read the guidance notes which appear when you click on the symbols as you progress through the application form, as any errors resulting from failure to do so may delay your application.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.

A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.

Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.

Please contact ths@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

 

Selection criteria

Admissions Criteria:
To apply for the course you should:

  • Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
  • Have professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
  • Be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of translational health sciences within the work place
  • Have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
  • Show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer's commitment to make time available to study, complete course work and attend course and university events and modules.
  • Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the University’s higher level. 

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme. Accomodation is not included in the course fee.

IT requirements

Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support