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PHTY41230

Academic Year 2026/2027

Digital Health Technologies: Integration and Application of Medical and Consumer Devices (PHTY41230)

Subject:
Physiotherapy
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Cailbhe Doherty
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the digital health ecosystem, focusing on the integration of: i) medical-grade devices and ii) consumer health devices (including fitness trackers, smartwatches, and health monitors) within healthcare.

It delves into the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of these technologies, examining their design, functionality, and the role they play in measuring and monitoring health. Students will explore the evolution of medical devices from traditional applications to the burgeoning field of wearable technology, emphasizing the blend between healthcare delivery and monitoring health and wellness.

Through a detailed examination of different kinds of sensors, biometric outcomes, and algorithmic data analysis, the module provides insights into the technical workings and clinical relevance of these devices—including their validity. It addresses the role of data privacy, security, and regulatory compliance, preparing students to navigate the complexities of digital health with an informed, ethical perspective.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Understand the design and functionality of a range of commonly used medical devices and their principles of operation

2. Evaluate the safety and regulatory requirements for medical devices
Analyse the data collected from medical devices and its potential uses in healthcare

3. Evaluate the role and potential benefits of commercial wearable technology in healthcare

4. Analyse the data collected from commercial wearable technology and its potential uses in healthcare

5. Evaluate the data privacy and security issues associated with using wearable technology in healthcare

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Digital Health Ecosystems
Medical Imaging Technologies (Radiology, Endoscopy, Clin Photography, Digital Pathology, etc).
Physiological Measurement Devices (e.g., photoplethysmography, inertial measurement units).
Anaesthetic and Critical Care Medical Devices.
The use of ICT and Informatics in the medical devices area.
Data types and quantities related to Medical Devices.
Data security aspects related to Medical Devices.
The differences between consumer devices and medical devices.
The role of medical devices as drivers or facilitators of behaviour change.
The role of digital health apps in eHealth.
The future directions of digital health in clinical practice.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Not addressed

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Not addressed

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Online Learning

10
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module includes a blend of synchronous online lectures, asynchronous material, self-directed learning, and project-based assessment. Emphasis is placed on interactive learning, with case studies and practical examples drawn from current research and healthcare practices.

AI/Academic Integrity:
Staff may utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the module to support teaching and learning, and it will be clearly indicated if and when AI is used. Students are prohibited from representing work as their own that they did not write, code or create. The use of AI-generated content in the assessment for this module is not permitted. Submitting AI-generated content, in whole or in part, may reflect unacceptable professional behaviour and may result in the initiation of a student disciplinary procedure in accordance with the "University Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy".

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Completion of learning units (including pre-recorded multimedia content and quizzes) in the Virtual Learning Environment (Brightspace). Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Student Negotiated or Choice of Assessment: Students engage with professionals working in healthcare to gather data (e.g. interview or survey), submit their data/transcripts, and prepare a report on the findings.

AI use strictly prohibited.		 Week 12 Graded No
80
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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