By Daniel Casciato
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve with the rapid advancements in digital technology, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has launched a Certificate in Digital Health to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this ever-changing field. Dr. Ravi Behara, course facilitator and full-time Faculty member at FAU’s College of Business Executive Education, offers insight into the program, its focus on cutting-edge technologies, and how it prepares healthcare professionals for the future.
Meeting the Demand for Digital Transformation in Healthcare
The motivation behind developing the Certificate in Digital Health at FAU stems from the increasing demand for healthcare professionals to understand the rapidly advancing digital technologies shaping healthcare delivery. Dr. Behara explains, “Digital transformation in healthcare continues with technological advances and the need to improve costs, patient/provider access, experiences, and outcomes. Technologies, organizational issues, and the regulatory environment are evolving.”
The course addresses this need by offering students an in-depth understanding of how digital tools and technologies can transform healthcare, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the productivity of healthcare providers.
Equipping Professionals for the Digital Health Landscape
One of the primary objectives of the course is to prepare students for the complexities of the digital health landscape by providing them with hands-on experiences and insights. “Participants will gain a basic understanding of the related technologies and the associated emerging information standards, privacy and security, regulatory challenges, and other risks,” Dr. Behara says. The program also exposes students to real-world business case studies, simulations, and AI tools, allowing them to develop actionable insights that they can apply in their careers.
This approach ensures that students not only understand the technology but also how to implement it effectively in healthcare settings to drive improvement in care delivery and operations.
Key Digital Technologies Covered
The program covers a wide range of digital technologies that are transforming the healthcare sector. Dr. Behara highlights some of the most impactful tools, including AI and machine learning (ML), the Internet of Medical Things, Software as a Medical Device, blockchain, digital twins, and more. These technologies are discussed in terms of their specific healthcare applications, such as clinical documentation, patient monitoring, and supply chain security.
“AI/ML tools, for example, are being used in clinical decision support, while blockchain ensures unalterable patient records and prevents counterfeit drugs in supply chains,” Dr. Behara explains. Other emerging technologies like 3D printing for implants and prostheses are also explored, demonstrating the wide range of possibilities in digital health innovation.
Balancing Innovation with Privacy and Security
With the rapid adoption of digital tools comes the challenge of maintaining patient privacy and data security. Dr. Behara notes that the program emphasizes this balance, discussing the inherent risks of using emerging technologies such as AI and cloud computing, as well as the regulatory challenges they present.
“Data privacy and security regulatory regimes will be discussed, specifically focusing on cybersecurity,” he says. The course also addresses the risks posed by generative AI, including potential biases and errors, known as hallucinations. Dr. Behara adds, “Current and emerging approaches to mitigate these risks will be addressed, ensuring students are prepared to implement secure digital health solutions.”
Driving Business Model Innovation
One of the unique aspects of the Certificate in Digital Health is its focus on business model innovation. The course encourages students to think beyond traditional healthcare models and explore new ways to deliver care through digital tools. Dr. Behara explains that existing models, such as value-based care, can be extended to home-based care through the use of remote monitoring, wearables, and data analytics.
“Students will gain insights into how current challenges are being addressed and will reimagine what is possible in the wellness space, as opposed to focusing on illness alone,” he says. This forward-thinking approach enables students to consider new healthcare models that integrate digital solutions for better patient outcomes and more efficient operations.
The Future of Digital Health
Looking ahead, digital health will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare. According to Dr. Behara, the full benefits of digital health will be realized when the healthcare system operates like the financial system, where data and transactions are secure, and both providers and patients can engage in seamless, coordinated care.
“Digitizing our health data was only the first step. We will begin to see the benefits of digital health when the healthcare system starts to work like the current financial system,” he says, highlighting the potential for a more connected and efficient healthcare ecosystem.
Building a Coordinated Healthcare System
Dr. Behara leaves readers with a thought-provoking analogy: “The human body is a system of various specialized organs. We have built a healthcare system to reflect this by having various specialties and subspecialties. But what we need is a nervous system that helps coordinate and control our bodies. Digital health will be to the healthcare system what the nervous system is to the human body.”
By providing a framework for understanding and implementing digital health technologies, FAU’s Certificate in Digital Health is preparing healthcare professionals to play a central role in the future of care delivery. Through innovative solutions, privacy considerations, and business model innovation, participants will be equipped to lead the transformation of healthcare systems and improve outcomes for patients and providers alike.
For more information, visit ExecutiveEducation.fau.edu.