Developing and Enhancing MedTech Skills in Health

Course details

Course provider: University Centre Leeds (Luminate Education Group)

Eligibility - You must be aged 19+ (on or before 31st August 2024) and live in West Yorkshire.

Industry: Healthcare, Health and Social Care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Dates: Wednesday 5th February, 12th, 19th and 26th March 9:30am-2:30pm 

Duration: 4 x 5 hour face to face learning sessions and 5 hours online learning - 25 hours total duration

Venue: University Centre Leeds

Course overview

Target Audience:

Adults returning to education who are interested in healthcare and medical technology (MedTech), with a basic understanding of healthcare settings but minimal technical expertise.

This course aims to introduce learners to MedTech (Medical Technology) and provide practical skills and insights needed to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare technology. Learners will explore a variety of MedTech tools, concepts, and their applications in real-world healthcare environments, alongside understanding how technology improves patient care and overall healthcare delivery.

Course Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand the core principles of MedTech and its role in modern healthcare.
2. Identify and utilize key MedTech tools and applications for healthcare.
3. Understand the ethical and regulatory considerations associated with MedTech innovations.
4. Apply MedTech solutions to case studies and simulated healthcare scenarios.
5. Collaborate with peers in group work to solve MedTech-related problems.

Session 1: Introduction to MedTech and Healthcare Systems

Duration: 5 hours

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the fundamentals of MedTech.
• Explore the different types of technologies used in healthcare.
• Identify the major trends in the MedTech industry.

Content:

1. Introduction to MedTech:
   • What is MedTech?
   • Evolution and current trends.
2. Types of MedTech:
   • Diagnostic, Therapeutic, Monitoring, and Assistive technologies.
   • Overview of healthcare systems and how technology integrates into them.
3. Case Studies: MedTech Innovations (Wearable devices, robotic surgery, AI in diagnostics).

Practical Activities:

• Group Activity: In small groups, research and present an emerging MedTech innovation. Discuss its impact on patient care and healthcare delivery.
• Individual Task: Learners research one MedTech device and prepare a brief presentation on how it works.

Engaging Tasks:

• Class Debate: “Will AI replace human healthcare workers in the future?” Explore both sides of the argument.
• Interactive Discussion: Discuss examples of MedTech learners may have encountered in real life and its benefits/challenges.

Session 2: Practical Applications of MedTech in Healthcare

Duration: 5 hours

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain hands-on experience with MedTech devices and software.
• Understand the role of data in healthcare and MedTech.
• Apply MedTech solutions to real-life healthcare scenarios.

Content:

4. Hands-on Exploration of MedTech Tools:
   • Overview of common MedTech tools in patient care (e.g., digital thermometers, pulse oximeters, wearable health monitors, EHR systems).
   • Introduction to data-driven decision-making in healthcare using MedTech.
5. Introduction to Telemedicine:
   • Importance of remote patient monitoring and virtual consultations.
   • Overview of telemedicine platforms.

Practical Activities:

• Simulated Patient Monitoring: Learners will use pulse oximeters, digital thermometers, and other simple MedTech tools in a simulated environment to monitor a "patient's" vitals.
• Telemedicine Role-Play: Pairs of learners take turns acting as a healthcare provider and patient during a simulated telemedicine consultation. This demonstrates the practical use of telemedicine platforms.

Engaging Tasks:

• Case Study: Review a case study of a patient who benefitted from wearable technology. Discuss in groups how data gathered from the technology influenced the care decisions.
• Group Discussion: What are the challenges of integrating MedTech into traditional healthcare?

Session 3: Ethics, Regulations, and Challenges in MedTech

Duration: 5 hours

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the ethical and legal issues surrounding MedTech.
• Recognize the challenges in MedTech innovation and adoption.
• Apply regulatory frameworks to hypothetical scenarios.

Content:

6. Ethical Issues in MedTech:
   • Privacy concerns in health data.
   • Consent, data ownership, and security.
   • Bias in AI-based diagnostics.
7. Regulatory Frameworks:
   • Overview of MHRA guidelines for MedTech devices.
   • Understanding the CE marking, device approval processes, and clinical trials.
8. Barriers to MedTech Adoption:
   • Technical challenges, cost issues, and patient acceptance.

Practical Activities:

• Scenario-Based Discussion: Break into small groups and tackle an ethical dilemma, such as a situation where patient data from a MedTech device was misused. Each group presents their decision and rationale.
• Regulatory Case Review: In groups, review the approval process for a MedTech device, focusing on its clinical trial data and regulatory compliance.

Engaging Tasks:

• Group Task: Brainstorm potential barriers to MedTech adoption in a specific healthcare setting (e.g., rural clinics) and discuss solutions.
• Class Discussion: Can AI-based MedTech systems truly remain unbiased?

Session 4: The Future of MedTech and Innovative Problem Solving

Duration: 5 hours

Learning Outcomes:

• Predict future trends in MedTech.
• Develop and propose solutions to contemporary MedTech challenges.
• Collaborate effectively in teams to solve problems related to healthcare technology.

Content:

9. Future Trends:
   • Predicting the next wave of innovations (e.g., nanotech, personalized medicine, gene-editing technologies).
   • The role of AI and machine learning in healthcare diagnostics and treatment planning.
10. Problem-Solving Frameworks:
    • Using design thinking and agile methodologies to tackle MedTech challenges.
    • Collaborating across disciplines (engineering, medicine, ethics) to find innovative solutions.

Practical Activities:

• Group Project: In small groups, create a proposal for a new MedTech solution addressing a specific healthcare problem (e.g., managing chronic illness with IoT devices). Present your proposal to the class, outlining its function, benefits, potential barriers, and how to overcome them.
• Futuristic Scenario Planning: Work in teams to envision how healthcare technology might evolve in the next 10 years. Design a healthcare facility of the future incorporating cutting-edge MedTech tools.

Engaging Tasks:

• Class Vote: Review all group project presentations and vote on the most promising idea.
• Group Reflection: How can MedTech be used to solve pressing global healthcare problems, such as the aging population or access to care in remote areas?

Assessment & Certification:

• Continuous Assessment: Group work participation, presentations, and engagement in activities (40%).
• Final Group Project: Proposal for a MedTech solution (60%).

Post-Course Resources:

• Recommended readings on emerging trends in MedTech.
• Links to online MedTech courses for further education.

What next?

Following this course, you could see an increase in responsibilities such as:

1. Supporting Digital Health Initiatives: Assisting in the implementation and support of digital health solutions, like telemedicine platforms, wearable health monitors, or electronic health records (EHR) systems, to improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations.
2. MedTech Device Training: Conducting training sessions for colleagues or patients on the proper use of new medical technologies, ensuring that they understand how to operate devices safely and effectively.
3. Data Collection and Analysis: Gathering and analysing health data from MedTech devices to help inform patient care decisions, optimize workflows, and improve healthcare outcomes.
4. Compliance and Ethics Oversight: Ensuring that MedTech usage aligns with regulatory requirements and ethical standards, monitoring patient data privacy, and reporting any concerns related to data security or device usage.
5. Leading Technology Integration Projects: Coordinating the adoption of new technologies in healthcare settings, including organizing pilot programs, gathering feedback, and adjusting implementation strategies based on user experiences.
6. Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Assisting with the troubleshooting and basic maintenance of MedTech devices and providing first-line support for issues that arise during device usage.

Possible apprenticeships for you to study following this course;

The below are rolling programmes, except for ST0215 which is a September only start..

• L2 Adult Care Worker (Standard)- ST0005                                        
• L3 Lead Adult Care Worker (Standard)- ST0006                            
• L2 Healthcare Support Worker (Standard)- ST0216                    
• L3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker (Standard)- ST0217      
• L4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care (Standard)- ST0007 551       
• L5 Leader in Adult Care (Standard) - ST0008   537
• L5 Assistant Practitioner (Healthcare) ST0215 (Sept enrolment)