Digital health education in Australian universities: Trends, gaps, and future directions.

BACKGROUND

As healthcare systems increasingly embrace digital transformation, the need for a specialised digital health workforce, distinct from general clinical or IT roles, has become paramount. This study offers a national review of digital health education (DHE) offerings in Australian universities, with a focus on how current curricula support the development of advanced, workforce-ready skills in areas such as health informatics, data analytics, digital implementation, and leadership.

METHODS

A systematic web-based review was conducted across all 42 Australian universities, drawing on publicly available resources including official handbooks, course catalogues, and subject guides. The search incorporated a structured set of keywords and cross-verification using institutional and general search engines to ensure comprehensive coverage. Only courses available for enrolment in 2024 were included in the study.

RESULTS

18 dedicated digital health courses and 26 associated degree courses were identified and analysed. The findings show a strong emphasis on postgraduate education, especially graduate certificates and master's programs, with limited availability at the undergraduate level. Courses frequently emphasise health data analytics, informatics, and implementation science, while critical areas such as cybersecurity, telehealth, virtual care, and ethics remain significantly underrepresented. Notably, there is a clear trend towards online and hybrid course delivery, with over 88 % of courses offering flexible or fully digital learning options.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the need for a coordinated national strategy to expand DHE offerings, address skill gaps, and strengthen education-to-workforce pathways. Building a capable digital health workforce requires frameworks that reflect emerging technologies and prepare graduates to lead innovation and ensure digital safety. While face-to-face learning opportunities and regional access remain limited, particularly outside states such as New South Wales and Victoria, the growing use of flexible delivery models in recent courses supports these aims by improving access for working professionals and remote learners.