BIDH5003: Semester 1, 2026

Units BIDH5003 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

BIDH5003: Foundations of Digital Health

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a strong foundation in digital health on which they can make evidence based decisions. In particular, this unit will provide students with opportunities to examine how technology can affect health and healthcare delivery in different contexts, ethical issues surrounding digital health, how emerging technologies impact on communication, strategies for interacting with patients and clients using different technologies, and the relationship between users, technologies, data and the wider information network. Students will develop their skills in critically thinking about digital health and its potential to support healthcare. Students will use and evaluate a digital health tool and examine in depth how a specific digital intervention impacts on the role of health care providers. This unit will also enable students to be lifelong learners by providing them with reflective learning skills.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	HSBH5003 or HSBH3008 or BIDH3008
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Corinne Caillaud, corinne.caillaud@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Participation Attend workshops and actively participate to discussion and activities, complete online activities	30%	Ongoing	Ongoing	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Digital health evaluation Evaluation of a health-related mobile app including a summary of findings	35%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Apr 2026	Info-graphic and 700 words summary	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Critical commentary Critical commentary on the impact of digital health on the role of the health professional	35%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Jun 2026	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Attend 5 workshops and participate in both in person and online activities
Evaluate a health-related mobile app and write a report evaluating the app
Qualitative enquiry report on a specific topic related to digital health tools and their role of health professional or consumers
NOTE: ALL assessments must be completed in this unit of study.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85-100	When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard
Distinction	75-84	When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
Credit	65-74	When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
Pass	50-64	When your performance in assessment tasks demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
Fail	0-49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Understanding the Australian Health Care System	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	The Australian Digital Health Landscape	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Health in the hands of consumers 1 The health apps landscape Health apps regulation	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 04	Health in the hands of consumers 2 Health apps design and evaluation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Health in the hands of consumers 3 - Consumers tracking their health	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 06	Health in the hand of consumers 4 wearables and sensors safety, privacy, sovereignty	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Interacting with health professionals Virtual care and telehealth	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 08	Interacting with health professionals AI and Health chatbot	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Interacting with health professionals Equity and inclusion	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 10	Health provider technology and health data Assessment 2 practie	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Health data and systems 2 Implementation at scale	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 12	Health data and systems Upskilling workforce	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Revisions and self reflection	Self-directed learning (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend 6 workshops and participate in online activities.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand the purpose and function of digital health technologies implemented at local, state and national levels
LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities and challenges digital health creates for health care professionals, patients and consumers
LO3. Evaluate and compare different digital health tools in order to make informed decisions about digital health used in practice
LO4. Critically apply your understanding of digital health and digital health research to real-life health scenarios
LO5. Engage in informed discussions about the socio-technical, ethical and legal factors impacting digital health uptake and use

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some content has been updated since this unit was last offered to reflect changes in the digital health landscape. Based on student feedback, this unit now includes an additional workshops.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links