Digital Health: Interview with the course directors

This article looks at the course in Digital Health with course directors Janine Traulsen, and Natalja Genina, both from the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Copenhagen. The course was held for the first time in August 2022 and again in 2023. Based on the very positive evaluation will be offered again in August 2024.

The article explores the weeklong course that is designed for managers and professionals in the field of pharmaceuticals, from both public and private organizations. The course combines theoretical knowledge, group work and case studies, ensuring participants gain an understanding of recent developments in the dynamic world of digital health.

With over 30 years of experience, Janine, a sociologist, with research experience in science and technology studies. Natalja, a Pharmacist and Associate Professor, does research integrating digital elements into advanced dosage forms. Together, their influence extends across social science, pharmacy, and digital health.

A Specialized one-week course tailored for professionals.

In the discussion about the Digital Health course at Copenhagen University, Janine and Natalja shed light on the course's structure and focus. This one-week program, specifically designed for professionals with a minimum of two years of experience in relevant fields, stands out as a unique opportunity for individuals already familiar with the field of pharmaceuticals.

The course emphasizes a collaborative learning environment. Natalja highlights the importance of networking. A variety of group exercises and opportunities to network are spread throughout the week. 

“Participants from the previous year have asked for more group work, so this year the course will increase the number of collective activities. We will encourage participants to actively participate in the group work. On the second day we will host a World Café to make sure the participants get to know each other from the very beginning.”. Janine adds: `For instance, during the Wednesday session, participants will be involved in designing a product using the human-centered approach’ run by a researcher in product design from the Department of Computer Science This activity will focus on incorporating  digital elements into the product, emphasizing the importance of digital product design.

The curriculum spans various topics, including examples from the real world, an introduction to stakeholders, new players and emerging new business models.  Emphasis is on exploring ethical concerns, transparency issues and the regulatory environment for digital tools. In addition, there will be an introduction into the complexities of Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Participants gain insights into the implementation of digital health solutions in different countries, exploring both limitations and opportunities. Natalja adds: “We will have a few case studies, and the participants will be introduced to the AI products already available for the end-users. “

You can read about the course here: Digital Health course