Digital Literacy in Health and Social Care

This course aims to provide you with an understanding and awareness of digital literacy within your own professional practice.

We will provide you with the skills and knowledge to be able to critique the definitions and components of digital literacy in health and social care. You will learn to appraise the challenges and opportunities of digital health innovations in relation to digital literacy within your own professional practice. You will learn how to assess the impact of service change management within your own professional practice, in terms of innovative digital technologies, whilst developing knowledge of information governance, data handling and protecting personal information.

The course will be delivered online. The content of the module will include:

• digital health and care literacy;
• interdependency of digital and health literacies and capabilities;
• workforce development of digital literacy of health professionals, patients, citizens and industry 
• innovative digital technologies, components and strategies of digital health
• accessible and secure digital records, electronic information and communication technologies, digital participation projects, service change management, co-production and co-design, and information governance, ethics and cybersecurity.

Learning Methods

This course will be delivered online using the University’s virtual learning environment, Moodle. There will be a short online induction and introduction session followed by a structured timetable of topic content. Each topic will include online lectures, seminars and discussion forum activities. You will be expected to interact in the online environment with your fellow students and tutors.

You will be assigned an academic tutor who will be there to support you through the module and clarify the expectations of the module assessment.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 2 hours per week

Independent Study

This course is completed through online independent study. It is expected that you will spend a minimum of 150 hours study over the 13 weeks of the module, including the preparation and submission of your written assessment. Your academic tutor will be there to support you through the module.

Staff delivering on this course

This module has been developed by a team of academic and professional staff with expertise in digital literacy, digital technology and digital healthcare, both within academic and healthcare practice settings. Guest Lecturers will be invited to support student knowledge development within the module. 

Assessment

Typically students are assessed via written assignment, including essay.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All online learning students, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Further Study

Students may wish to undertake further study through undertaking the MSc Healthcare Leadership of which this module is a core module.  

Normally, you are expected to be able to demonstrate degree level study; however, if this is not the case, you are encouraged to make contact and discuss your circumstances.

Academic Year 2024/2025

• UK Students: £770 per module
• EU & International Students: £1,380 per module