Exploring the Medical School Councils' (MSC) digital agenda.

Digital Health Literacy (MSC Competency 9)

Hamish Sutcliffe — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:59:04 GMT

In this episode, Dr Sutcliffe interviews Public Health Consultant Dr Saran Shantikumar.

Many areas are covered, including the learning objectives set out by the Medical Schools Council:

• Describe digital health literacy and its impact on health outcomes and access to care.

• Describe how higher health literacy leads to reduced healthcare costs, hospitalisation rates, readmissions and emergency department visits.

Referenced Links

ORCHA

Professionalism, ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations in digital health (MSC competency 3)

Hamish Sutcliffe — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:06:01 GMT

We welcome Dr Greg Moorlock to explore the ethical issues surrounding aspects of digital health

Transcript

Referenced Links

BMA advice on social media use

BMA principles for application of AI

3) Professionalism, ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations in digital health

Apply best practices for managing digital patient data.
Describe protected health information.
Apply prevailing privacy and security rules when handling protected health information.
Demonstrate compliance with ethical conduct and codes of practice when processing digital patient data.
Explain how professional, clinical, and research ethics are applied and practiced within digital health space.

Health Inequalities (MSC Competency 10)

Hamish Sutcliffe — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:23:01 GMT

This episode welcomes Professor Meg Davis, a leading expert in digital health human rights to explore this digital health competency:

10) Health inequalities

• Explain the need for datasets to be diverse and representative of patient populations,

including those from marginalised groups.

• Identify and mitigate potential biases in data and algorithms that can perpetuate

existing health disparities.

• Understand the digital divide and its impact on access to healthcare services and

information.

• Recognise the heightened risk of data breaches and misuse for vulnerable

populations.

Links

https://ease.org.uk/communities/gender-policy-committee/the-sager-guidelines/

https://megdavisconsulting.com/right-on-podcast/

https://digitalhealthandrights.com/

Transcript

E2 enhanced version

Catherine Fenn — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:38:30 GMT

E2 enhanced version

E1 enhanced version

Catherine Fenn — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:37:54 GMT

E1 enhanced version

Digital Identity Safety and Security (MSC Competency 4)

Hamish Sutcliffe — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:22:54 GMT

Dr Hamish Sutcliffe welcomes Professor Simon Brake, an expert in the field of digital health and Chief Innovation Officer at four local NHS trusts, to discuss the Medical School Council Learning Outcome of Digital Identity and looking at pitfalls and opportunities in these areas. Lots to learn!

4) Digital identity, safety, and security

Describe common behaviours of doctors which may compromise data security.
Demonstrate awareness of prevailing rules or regulations on sharing protected health information via cross-platform instant messaging services (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram).
Data science in the medical curriculum
Explain the concepts of medical professional, digital identity and digital intelligence.

Further Reading

The MDU guide to social media

The GMC professional standards - using social media as a medical professional

Transcript

Personal Health Records (MSC competency 11)

Hamish Sutcliffe — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 09:02:39 GMT

In this episode, we interview Dr Mohanned Alajlani (see profile links below), a highly experienced expert in Health Informatics and Electronic Health Records.

Dr Mohanned Alajlani WMG profile

Dr Mohanned Alajlani Google Scholar profile

MSC outlined Learning Outcome:

Personal health records

Explain both the positive and negative impacts of personal health records on patient-centred healthcare (e.g., patient-provider communication, education and lifestyle changes, health self-management)

Explain what constitutes appropriate use of and access to patient health records.

Further Reading

Legal summary of inappropriate health record access

Transcipt