Postgraduate Diploma in eHealth

The Postgraduate Diploma (eHealth) aims at providing graduates and working professional with knowledge and competence in various aspects of eHealth, its practice and implementation, through reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research in eHealth. It aims to provide graduates with the foundations for professional practice (knowledge skills and applied competence in Medical Informatics or Telemedicine) and management of information and telemedicine services.

This qualification serves to introduce managers, health practitioners, and informaticians to medical informatics and telemedicine and provides training and education to potential telemedicine practitioners and informaticians who are in short supply in this country. Graduates will contribute to society at large through implementation and management of information systems or telemedicine services.

Rationale

With the rapid growth of information and communication technologies over the past twenty years there is growing use of information and communication technologies in the health sector. This ranges from hospital information systems, district health information systems, geographic information systems, electronic health records, laboratory information systems, radiographic information systems, picture archiving systems, to clinical services provided electronically and eLearning in the health sector. These all fall under the umbrella term of eHealth.

District and hospital information systems, electronic medical records and telemedicine are central to the recently released National eHealth Strategy. While many people have qualifications in computer science or a health profession there are few who have had further education in eHealth.

The qualification is designed to provide graduates with a relevant background to eHealth and the principles of eHealth to meet South Africa's, and Africa's growing needs.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines eHealth as the use of information and communications technology for health. The term is relatively new. The qualification takes into account the growing awareness of the direct interaction of the fields of medical informatics and telemedicine.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior learning will be recognised in the form of qualifications in health sciences, practical experience, or other recognised university qualifications if acceptable to the Senate for recognition for admission. Recognition of Prior Learning will be done in accordance with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Rule GR7 (b).

A portfolio providing documentary evidence in support of the specific RPL application must be provided.

A learner who has in any other manner attained a level of competence which, in the opinion of the Senate, is adequate for the purpose of postgraduate studies or research, may be admitted to the qualification.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Science, Level 7.
• Bachelor of Medical Science, Level 7.
• Bachelor of Commerce, Level 7.
• National Diploma in Information, Level 7.
• Language and communication skills, Level 4.
• Numeracy skills, Level 4.
• Basic computer skills and data handling.

The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules (64 Credits)

• eHealth and Home Monitoring, 16 Credits.
• Telemedicine: Planning, Management and Ethics, 16 Credits.
• Medical Information Systems, 16 Credits.
• Contemporary Topics in EHealth, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules (choose elective modules to total 64 Credits)

• Public Health and Management of Management Information Systems, 16 Credits.
• Programming 1, 16 Credits.
• Telemedicine: Applied Skills, 16 Credits.
• Electronic Medical Records, 16 Credits.
• E-Health Project, 32 Credits.

1. Identify factors impeding eHealth implementation and uptake in Africa.
2. Describe the use of information and communication technology for health Delivery.
3. Conceptualise and develop a telemedicine project plan for own region of sub-Saharan Africa.
4. Advise on and plan for implementation and use of health informatics systems in public health.
5. Evaluate the use of the national telehealth networks.
6. Demonstrate competence in procedures essential to the area of telemedicine.
7. Ensure maintenance of high ethical standards in eHealth including confidentiality, data security and storage and practitioner authentication.

• Interact with texts (oral and written) through critical listening/reading skills.
• Produce texts which integrate information from different sources.
• Participate effectively in seminar and group discussion and in group projects.
• Work independently and establish a new telemedicine link.
• Conduct telemedicine sessions.
• Conduct medical tele-education.
• Use different communication protocols.
• Implement and conduct store and forward telemedicine.
• Statistically evaluate and analyse medical data.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification will have formative and summative assessments. Within modules, assessment is based on class participation, written assignments, group assignments, oral presentations, short questions, multiple choice questions, problem solving exercises and written and practical examinations. Knowledge gained in completed modules is expected to be incorporated in submissions for assessment in subsequent modules to show a holistic understanding of the topic.

The research module output will demonstrate integration of knowledge gained.

The theory aspects of the qualification consist of demonstrating academic literacy, identifying factors impeding eHealth implementation and uptake in Africa, describing the use of information and communication technology for health delivery etc. These are assessed with written tests, group assignments, short questions, and multiple choice questions.

The practical components of the qualification, which include conceptualising and developing a telemedicine project plan for their region of sub-Saharan Africa, advising on and planning for implementation and use of health informatics systems in public health, evaluating the use of the national telehealth networks to improve health services etc, are assessed through projects, oral and written homework, and practicals.

The qualification will have formative assessments and summative assessments.