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Unit outline_

BIDH5003: Foundations of Digital Health

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a strong foundation in digital health on which they can make evidence based decisions. In particular, this unit will provide students with opportunities to examine how technology can affect health and healthcare delivery in different contexts, ethical issues surrounding digital health, how emerging technologies impact on communication, strategies for interacting with patients and clients using different technologies, and the relationship between users, technologies, data and the wider information network. Students will develop their skills in critically thinking about digital health and its potential to support healthcare. Students will use and evaluate a digital health tool and examine in depth how a specific digital intervention impacts on the role of health care providers. This unit will also enable students to be lifelong learners by providing them with reflective learning skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
HSBH5003 or HSBH3008 or BIDH3008
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Melissa Baysari, melissa.baysari@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
Attend workshops and complete online quizzes and tasks
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Reflection task 1
Post a 1-minute video on Canvas
5% Week 02 1-minute video
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Assignment Digital health evaluation
Enrol in a health-related mobile app and write an evaluation of the app
40% Week 06
Due date: 28 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Critical commentary
Discuss the impact of a digital health tool on health professionals
40% Week 12
Due date: 17 May 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Reflection task 2
Post a 300-word reflection on Canvas
5% Week 13 300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1

Assessment summary

  • Take part in a pre and post unit reflection on digital health

  • Attend 3 workshops and participate in online activities, including 3 quizzes and 4 tasks

  • Enrol in a health-related mobile app and write a report evaluating the app

  • Write a critical commentary on the impact of a digital health tool on the role of the health professional

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark range Description
High distinction 85-100

When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard

Distinction 75-84

When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard

Credit 65-74

When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard

Pass 50-64

When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard

Fail 0-49 When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Orientation Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Introduction to digital health and consumer technologies Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Health in the hands of consumers 1 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Health in the hands of consumers 2 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Health in the hands of consumers 3 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Health communication 1 Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Health communication 2 Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Virtual care and health communication Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Health data and systems 1 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Health data and systems 2 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Health data and systems 3 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Health data and systems 4 Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Health provider technologies and health data Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend three workshops and participate in online quizzes and tasks. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the purpose and function of digital health technologies implemented at local, state and national levels
  • LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities and challenges digital health creates for health care professionals, patients and consumers
  • LO3. Evaluate and compare different digital health tools in order to make informed decisions about digital health used in practice
  • LO4. Critically apply your understanding of digital health and digital health research to real-life health scenarios
  • LO5. Engage in informed discussions about the socio-technical, ethical and legal factors impacting digital health uptake and use

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some content has been updated since this unit was last offered to reflect changes in the digital health landscape. Based on student feedback, this unit now includes an additional workshop in week 8.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.