Digital health describes using technology to improve healthcare. It is a broad area, with projects ranging from small departmental improvements, to organisation-wide instigation of electronic patient records, and includes devices, wearable technology and artificial intelligence. As clinical informaticians we work alongside technical experts to ensure technology is utilised in the right way to help improve patient care.
If you have a clinical background and are interested in how technology can be best used to improve patient care, then you have all the skills you need to get involved. In the North East we have lots of opportunities, from informal involvement through to full training programmes and fellowships. Have a look at what we have on
Spend one day a week (20% time equivalent) training in clinical informatics, whilst still fully contributing to the on-call rota
Utilise your skills in quality improvement to use technology to improve patient care
See below for further details
Develop skills in informatics and digital health relevant to GP practice
This can be undertaken during your final year of training, and extends training time by 6 months
See below for further details
We hold a regular forum for digital health trainees to help with peer support and networking. At present these occur three times per year in person, but we hope to expand this to potentially run a more frequent online forum to complement the in-person discussions. If you would like to be invited along, please contact us using the details at the bottom of the page.
This is a Health Education England opportunity for doctors in training to have protected time away from clinical medicine to pursue other ventures, aiding non-clinical professional development and improving morale and well-being.
In the North-East we offer trainees the opportunity to spend one day per week (20% time equivalent) training in clinical informatics (digital health), whilst still able to contribute fully to the on-call rota. Supported by a local supervisor you will use local project work and self-directed learning to develop knowledge and skills in digital improvement. This will include assessing and managing the risks of technology in healthcare and developing an understanding of digital strategy management.
This opportunity is open to all specialties, although liaison with the parent specialty TPD (Training Programme Director) will be needed to determine how this can best be achieved. Trainees need to have worked in the region for six months before applying and will spend a minimum of one year in their pathway, with the option to continue for the duration of their higher specialty training (subject to satisfactory progress and Annual Review of Competence Progression outcome).
For more information or please contact us.
The Extended Integrated Training Post (ExITP) in general practice provides a flexible opportunity to develop skills and experience within clinical informatics and digital health that is relevant to general practice. The programme provides a unique perspective on how computers, data and technology influence the delivery of healthcare across the primary care network. Doctors in the ExITP programme receive additional supervision from experienced practitioners who will support them in gaining competency in the broad and varied landscape of digital health. The ExITP curriculum is designed to help you make the most of your time and experiences within Digital Health settings in a targeted manner. The ExITP can be undertaken in the final 12 months of primary care training and will extend training by 6 months; from 3 years to 3½ years Whole Time Equivalent.
Please contact us for further information.
The Topol Digital Fellowship, an NHS Digital Academy programme, is designed to equip fellows with new skills and knowledge. These will include: how to practise person-centred design, how to use Agile methods to run projects and develop services, how to lead digital transformation, how to use data in the design of services.
The programme is also designed to inspire fellows by enabling them to hear from others who have led digital transformations and built digital health and social care services. The programme is designed to connect fellows to like-minded peers, digital transformation and digital health and care experts and people who can support and mentor them.
The most interesting part of the fellowship is being part of the wider MDT and utilising other’s skills, finding where your project sits within the complex NHS structures, and how inclusive digital changes need to be to truly make a difference.
For more information or contact us.
A variety of local opportunities are available through trusts in the region. Please get in touch if you would be interested in finding out more about what is currently available, or if you would like us to put you in touch with the relevant people at a particular trust.
MINT (Monthly Industry Network Teaching) – contact us for more details
Digital Health Forum
Faculty of Digital Health
CCIO Network
If you would like any further information or have any questions please contact: