Digitalization in Health Care and Social Services (4cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The study unit comprises four modules, which are recommended to be completed in numerical order.
1. Basic concepts and underlying phenomena of digitalisation
2. Digital services, processes, and projects
3. Regulation and sustainability
4. Digital expertise and core competences

Objective

The student: - masters key concepts of digitalisation in the field of health care and social services and is able to explain the phenomena underlying these developments - is familiar with the principles of service systems and key national digitalisation projects - is familiar with essential legislation, regulations, and professional ethical principles related to digitalisation in the field of health care and social services - understands the role of a digital service expert in the field of health care and social services - is able to apply in practice the core competences of a digital service expert: technologies and digital capabilities, ethics, communication, guidance, teaching, and customer-oriented research and development activities.

Content

- The key concepts and background phenomena of digitalisation in the field of health care and social services - Digitalised processes, major digitalisation projects, as well as national and EU-level guiding regulations - Expertise and core competencies in the digital operating environment - Ethical and sustainability perspectives of digitalisation

Location and time

The study unit is delivered in a non-stop format and can be completed at your own pace between 1 June and 15 December 2026. Some assignments are assessed automatically, while others require assessment by the teacher. Assessment is carried out primarily during the first week of the month.

Summer exception: During the teacher’s summer leave period, assignments are not assessed; instead, assignments submitted for assessment during this time will be assessed by the end of August. Assessments and course credit entries for assignments completed by 31 July 2026 will be recorded for the student as spring semester completions.

Materials

The learning materials used in the study unit are available in Moodle or are accessed via the learning platform through external sources. As supporting materials for learning, the use of, for example, reliable online sources, peer-reviewed research articles, up-to-date news reporting, and library resources is recommended.

Teaching methods

This study unit is intended for Open University of Applied Sciences students and cross-institutional students, not for Metropolia degree students.

The study unit is delivered entirely online in the Moodle learning environment. The implementation consists of four different themes and modules: their theoretical sections, external materials, and a range of assignments that support and assess learning.

Employer connections

The study unit is linked to working life through materials and applied assignments. The student is able to apply the study unit’s theoretical content in learning tasks by integrating it with their own working-life experience.

Exam schedules

The completion and resit opportunities for the study unit assignments are predefined in the available number of attempts, and they are always described on an assignment-by-assignment basis. The student confirms when they have used the attempts they wish to use and requests that the completion be recorded. Based on their own work plan, the teacher informs students of the assessment schedule, and, if they wish, students may time their assignment submissions accordingly.

International connections

This study unit examines digitalisation as a phenomenon both globally and at EU level. Some of the recommended material is in English.

Completion alternatives

No elective or alternative modes of completion.

Student workload

The study unit consists of four modules, totalling 4 credits. One credit corresponds to 27 hours of student work.