Study location	Netherlands, Maastricht
Type	Summer Courses, Full-time
Nominal duration	1 week (3 ECTS)
Study language	English

Tuition fee	€699 one-time

Entry qualification

Enrolled as an Undergraduate student or Undergraduate diploma A basic understanding of public health principles and themes is recommended but not required. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English The language of the course is English, so we expect a fluent level and the ability to follow and participate in class.

More information	maastrichtsummerschool.nl

Overview

Course Description
Are you passionate about the intersection of technology and public health? Join us for an exciting one-week summer course that dives deep into the digital transformations reshaping public health in the 21st century. This course offers a blend of theory, practical knowledge, and critical analysis aimed at students interested in public health, public policy, and the implementation and governance of digital technologies.

Throughout the week, you’ll explore a variety of cutting-edge topics:
• Health Data and Epidemiologic Surveillance: Understand how digital data collection is changing how we track and respond to health trends and epidemics.
• Digital Therapeutics: Discover the new frontier of digital solutions for treatment and prevention and how it is shifting the responsibility between patients and healthcare providers.
• Digital Health Promotion and Infodemics: Learn about the role of digital platforms in enhancing or threatening population health.
• Workforce Development: Gain insights into the skills and competencies needed for a career in digital public health.

After the course, you will have the ability to:
• Define the concept of digital transformations in public health.
• Analyse the impact of digital technologies on essential public health functions.
• Critically assess the pros and cons of digitalisation in public health, including ethical considerations.
• Discuss effective governance of digital technologies in this field.

The course includes lectures, problem-based learning (PBL) discussions, and group activities, where you’ll analyse real-world case studies from various countries. This approach ensures a global, critical, and pragmatic perspective, providing you with the tools to become a thought leader in this crucial and rapidly evolving field.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of digital public health. Enrol now and be part of shaping the future!

Goals
• Define the concept of digital transformations in public health.
• Discuss the impact of digital technologies on essential public health functions.
• Critically evaluate the positive and negative aspects of digitalisation in public health, including ethical challenges.
• Discuss the effective governance of digital technologies in public health.

Recommended Literature
Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. (2021). World Health Organization. www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924
Kickbusch, I., Piselli, D., Agrawal, A., Balicer, R., Banner, O., Adelhardt, M., Capobianco, E., Fabian, C., Singh Gill, A., Lupton, D., Medhora, R. P., Ndili, N., Ryś, A., Sambuli, N., Settle, D., Swaminathan, S., Morales, J. V., Wolpert, M., Wyckoff, A. W., … Wong, B. L. H. (2021). The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on governing health futures 2030: growing up in a digital world. Lancet, 398(10312), 1727–1776. doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01824-9
Saisó, S. G., Marti, M. C., Medina, F. M., Pascha, V. M., Nelson, J., Tejerina, L., Bagolle, A., & D’Agostino, M. (2022). Digital transformation for more equitable and sustainable Public Health in the age of digital interdependence. American Journal of Public Health, 112(S6), S621–S624. doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2022.306749
Wong, B. L. H., Maaß, L., Vodden, A., van Kessel, R., Sorbello, S., Buttigieg, S., & Odone, A. (2022). The dawn of digital public health in Europe: Implications for public health policy and practice. The Lancet Regional Health. Europe, 14(100316), 100316. doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100316

Teaching Methods
Assignments, Lectures, PBL, Presentations, Research, Skills, Trainings, Work in subgroups

Assessment Methods
Attendance, Presentation

Course Coordinator
Rok Hrzic

Programme structure

Monday
10:00-11:00 Lecture: Essential public health functions in the digital era
11:00-12:30 PBL: Case 1 pre-discussion
13:30-15:00 Case study group work

Tuesday
10:00-11:00 Novel health data and digital epidemiological surveillance
11:00-12:30 Case 1 post-discussion & Case 2 pre-discussion
13:30-15:00 Case study group work

Wednesday
10:00-11:00 Lecture: Digital therapeutics, health promotion and protection
11:00-12:30 PBL: Case 2 post-discussion & Case 3 pre-discussion
13:30-15:00 Case study group work

Thursday
10:00-11:00 Lecture: Workforce development for digital public health
11:00-12:30 PBL: Case 3 post-discussion
13:30-15:00 Case study group work

Friday
10:00-12:30 Case study presentations
13:30-14:00 Wrap-up session

Draft course schedule