Management of Innovative Technologies in Community Based Health Care

Doel vak

The learning goals of MITCH are:

• To learn about the development and usage of health technologies.
• To familiarize with methods and approaches for the development and implementation of inclusive community-based technologies.
• To provide in-depth background of their technological development, their usage and impact on health care professions.
• To reflect on the (possible) consequences of health technological developments for patients, care providers and health care systems.
• To be able to put these developments into different contexts, and reflect critically on practical issues from specific theoretical perspectives.
• To engage with care providers, patient groups, technology providers and others to learn about and discuss emerging developments and dilemmas.

Inhoud vak

This course explores the rapidly evolving field of health technologies and their growing significance within contemporary health care systems. With rising pressures on health care resources and personnel, these technologies are increasingly viewed as essential contributors to sustainable and high‑quality care delivery. Students will gain insight into the development, usage, and impact of innovations such as e-health platforms, point‑of‑care diagnostics, self‑monitoring tools, and artificial intelligence.

A central focus of the course is the community-based development of health solutions. Students will learn methods and approaches for involving communities, patient groups, and care providers in the design of inclusive technologies. Through this lens, the course emphasizes the importance of ensuring that innovations align with the lived realities, preferences, and challenges of diverse user groups, including in low-and middle-income countries.

Students will critically reflect on the potential consequences of technological innovations for patients, health professionals, and health care systems as a whole. By engaging with theoretical perspectives and real-world practical cases, they will develop the ability to conceptualise and contextualize health developments within broader social, and professional frameworks.

The course incorporates case studies from multiple stakeholder perspectives including patients, health consumers, care providers, entrepreneurs, insurers, financiers, and technology developers to examine how technologies reshape health care delivery and the dilemmas that emerge in the process. Interactive sessions with external stakeholders further enrich students’ understanding of current trends, opportunities, and challenges in health care related to health technologies.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped not only to understand innovative technologies in health care but also to engage critically and constructively in discussions about their development, implementation and societal implications.

Aanvullende informatie onderwijsvormen

MITCH is a course of eight weeks (6 ECTS). The total study time is 160 hours. Methods include interactive lectures, workshops, and self-study. In the course we will make use of face to face teaching and blended learning when needed.
The different elements have the following study time:

• Lectures (h): 24 hours (24 contact hours/student)
  
• Work groups (w): 20 hours (20 contact hours/student)
  
• Group assignment (pro): 60 hours
  
• Preparing the presentation and the presentation seminar (pro): 4 hours (2 contact hours/student)
  
• Self-study: 50 hours
  
• Exam: 2 hours

Toetsvorm

The final grade for MITCH is composed of:
- Written exam (T) (40 %)
- Group assignment (V) (40 %)
- Presentation of the assignment in a seminar form (Pres) (20 %)

All parts need to be passed, no compensation for an insufficient result for the exam or assignment report. For an insufficient presentation, a replacing assignment can be given. For the exam there is a resit opportunity.

Vereiste voorkennis

All (VU or beyond) Master students. Additional background reading might be required if the student comes from another Master program than MPA.

Literatuur

Aanvullende informatie doelgroep

MITCH is an elective course for the MPA specialization M&E and is considered a Science Course for all MPA specializations. MITCH is an elective course for the MSc Global Health (Research).

MITCH is also part of the Studypath Science, Society and Communication. Students from the faculty of science can follow this course as an elective. Additional background reading might then be required depending on the original master programme.

Overige informatie

Use of Generative AI (GenAI)

This course follows the BETA Faculty policy on GenAI use. Use

GenAI responsibly and in line with the VU academic integrity policy and the VU recommendations on responsible use of GenAI.

Toelichting Canvas

Detailed course information and schedules will be available in time on Canvas before the course starts.

Aanbevolen voorkennis

For non-MPA students additional reading may apply to prepare for the course.