Oxford Institute of Digital Health
Connected health for better health
This dynamic, interdisciplinary hub for digital health research and teaching addresses critical challenges and identifies solutions harnessing innovations to improve health and health care.
The rapid development of digital technologies is a catalyst for a fundamental shift in both how we live, and how we manage our health. The digital transformation of health systems has the potential to deliver leaner, greener, and more person-centred services, which can:
improve access and choice;
• reduce inequalities
• reduce harm and improve patient safety
• empower the public to consider health at their pace
• improve quality
• reduce costs
• increase value and reduce waste
• deliver personalised medicine using risk prediction driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
But there are challenges and health care has not yet undergone the radical transformation seen in other industries. Problems such as digital inequalities, digital harms, and the low adoption of some technologies persist and require solutions, alongside consideration of ethical, legal, and social issues.
Digital health should be an integral part of health priorities and benefit people in a way that is ethical, safe, secure, reliable, equitable and sustainable. It should be developed with principles of transparency, accessibility, scalability, replicability, interoperability, privacy, security and confidentiality.
World Health Organization Global Strategy on Digital Health, 2020-25
Our vision is for digital health to enable those at most risk of illness to be identified and treated earlier, and given the tools to manage their health and care better.
Professor Richard Hobbs
Mercian Professor of Primary Care
As a medical researcher myself, I recognise that the diffusion of digital technology in health care is already happening. Excitingly, there have been notable strides that AI has already made in medical science.
I’m delighted that the University of Oxford is at the forefront of this research and translation.
The Oxford Institute of Digital Health is a dynamic new hub and a vital part of the University’s ambition for applied digital health research to drive digitally-enabled community care to bold new heights. The aim being that health professionals can make better decisions for their patients.
Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci.,
Vice-Chancellor
The Vision
Harnessing digital transformation
The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences is host to the world’s longest established and largest electronic health records databases. AI and machine learning are being used to explore these data, and to develop prediction tools that can underpin a new era of precision medicine, leading to more effective prevention and treatment.
Our work evaluating digital interventions considers new ways of assessing their usefulness, including the key issues of digital inclusion, and the green impact of digital approaches.
Enhancing patient care
Incorporating new models of care, including more patient-centred and distributed care pathways harnessing mobile health, wearables, remote approaches to consultation, monitoring and consultation, diagnostics and stratified treatments, all of which shifts more power to health consumers.
Working with collaborators such as the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science and the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), to address issues of usability, trust and fairness, and to develop practical tools for clinicians.
Building a knowledge powerhouse
We will continue to invest in our staff with key skills training and engage in knowledge transfer through partnerships with industry and health care providers around the world.
In 2022, we launched two innovative Masters programmes: Applied Digital Health, an interdisciplinary learning experience, spanning medicine, social and behavioural science, economics, engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science, and Global Health Leadership, to develop experienced leaders with the skills to deliver affordable, effective and efficient healthcare in complex global systems.
The Future
Realising the vision
A physical hub for the Institute of Digital Health will be a vital step in bringing together the broad range of the Oxford’s expertise in one location, and in fostering the continued cross-discipline collaboration, innovation and agility that makes the University of Oxford world leading.
To enable us to realise this vision, and mindful of the green impact of construction, we are planning state-of the-art renovations to an existing building, the Gibson Building, which is situated on the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. This will position applied digital health research right at the heart of one of Oxford’s most vibrant academic communities.
To make a one-off or regular gift to support this vision, please visit our online giving page:
To find out more information or to support in another way, please contact: oidh@phc.ox.ac.uk
digital health care brochure
Our Key Research Themes
Teaching, Capacity Building & Future Leaders
Our MSc and DPhil programmes.
Evidence-Based Health Care
Applied Digital Health
Translational Health Sciences
Global Healthcare Leadership
DEVELOPING POPULATION BASED SYSTEMS TO DELIVER BETTER VALUE HEALTH CARE
One of our teams is leading work on value-based health care, which aims to get improved outcomes for patients at no greater cost, with the new G20 Hub for value based health care, in Rome and in Sao Paulo for Latin America.
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Events and Resources
Events: click here for more information
Resources: click here for more information