Programme

Part 1 – Healthcare organization and financing models (18 hours: 12 theory + 6 practical)
- Medical terminology
- Models of healthcare systems (Beveridge, Bismarck, mixed)
- Italian National Health Service (SSN): structure, Local Health Authorities (ASL), Hospital Authorities (AO)
- Accreditation of healthcare facilities
- Classification of services: inpatient vs outpatient
- Financing mechanisms: DRG (Diagnosis-Related Groups), tariff nomenclature

Part 2 – Health information systems and Health data management (16 hours: 10 theory + 6 practical)
- Architecture of Health Information Systems
- E-R (Entity-Relationship) models and application to healthcare databases
- Electronic Health Record (EHR), Electronic Health File (FSE)
- Datasets, classifications, interoperability standards (ICD, HL7, FHIR, DICOM)

Part 3 – Digital Technologies in Healthcare (14 hours: theory and case studies)
- Clinical Decision Support Systems and AI in healthcare
- Machine learning and data mining of health data
- Telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth), personalised medicine

Part 4 – Medical Devices: technologies and regulations (12 hours: 6 theory + 6 practical)
- Classification (CND – National Classification of Medical Devices, GMDN – Global Medical Device Nomenclature)
- Evaluation of equipment specifications
- MDR Regulation, CE marking, integration into Health Information Systems

Part 5 – Management and evaluation of health technologies** (12 hours: 6 theory + 6 practical)
- Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) for biomedical equipment
- Health Technology Assessment (HTA): tools, effectiveness indicators
- Risk management: classification, matrices, indices

Prerequisiti

For optimal experience of the course, knowledge and skills acquired in Major courses in the second year of the degree program are useful.

Core Documentation

Slides, exercises and other material freely available for students on the University learning platform.

Reference Bibliography

Further readings: - F. Pinciroli, S. Bonacina. Applicazioni di Sanità Digitale, Polipress, ISBN: 887398049X - F. Pinciroli, M. Masseroli. Elementi di Informatica Biomedica, ISBN: 8873980171

Type of delivery of the course

Frontal theory lessons (60%) Guided exercises (40%)

Attendance

Course attendance is optional. It is recommended to attend the classes for a more effective learning.

Type of evaluation

You can choose whether to participate to the intermediate evaluations. In case of participation to intermediate evaluations: 2 Intermediate evaluations. For each intermediate evaluation (total duration 2 hrs, written exam): exercises, short essay questions, multiple-choice questions. An optional interview after the evaluation can be performed on request. In case of participation to the traditional exam: Written part (total duration 2 hrs): exercises, short essay questions. Oral interview (at least two questions).

Programme

Part 1 – Healthcare organization and financing models (18 hours: 12 theory + 6 practical)
- Medical terminology
- Models of healthcare systems (Beveridge, Bismarck, mixed)
- Italian National Health Service (SSN): structure, Local Health Authorities (ASL), Hospital Authorities (AO)
- Accreditation of healthcare facilities
- Classification of services: inpatient vs outpatient
- Financing mechanisms: DRG (Diagnosis-Related Groups), tariff nomenclature

Part 2 – Health information systems and Health data management (16 hours: 10 theory + 6 practical)
- Architecture of Health Information Systems
- E-R (Entity-Relationship) models and application to healthcare databases
- Electronic Health Record (EHR), Electronic Health File (FSE)
- Datasets, classifications, interoperability standards (ICD, HL7, FHIR, DICOM)

Part 3 – Digital Technologies in Healthcare (14 hours: theory and case studies)
- Clinical Decision Support Systems and AI in healthcare
- Machine learning and data mining of health data
- Telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth), personalised medicine

Part 4 – Medical Devices: technologies and regulations (12 hours: 6 theory + 6 practical)
- Classification (CND – National Classification of Medical Devices, GMDN – Global Medical Device Nomenclature)
- Evaluation of equipment specifications
- MDR Regulation, CE marking, integration into Health Information Systems

Part 5 – Management and evaluation of health technologies** (12 hours: 6 theory + 6 practical)
- Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) for biomedical equipment
- Health Technology Assessment (HTA): tools, effectiveness indicators
- Risk management: classification, matrices, indices

Prerequisiti

For optimal experience of the course, knowledge and skills acquired in Major courses in the second year of the degree program are useful.

Core Documentation

Slides, exercises and other material freely available for students on the University learning platform.

Reference Bibliography

Further readings: - F. Pinciroli, S. Bonacina. Applicazioni di Sanità Digitale, Polipress, ISBN: 887398049X - F. Pinciroli, M. Masseroli. Elementi di Informatica Biomedica, ISBN: 8873980171

Type of delivery of the course

Frontal theory lessons (60%) Guided exercises (40%)

Attendance

Course attendance is optional. It is recommended to attend the classes for a more effective learning.

Type of evaluation

You can choose whether to participate to the intermediate evaluations. In case of participation to intermediate evaluations: 2 Intermediate evaluations. For each intermediate evaluation (total duration 2 hrs, written exam): exercises, short essay questions, multiple-choice questions. An optional interview after the evaluation can be performed on request. In case of participation to the traditional exam: Written part (total duration 2 hrs): exercises, short essay questions. Oral interview (at least two questions).