Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Prof. dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH, was a panelist at the Digital Health Competencies Launch Event on Friday (March 14, 2025). This event was held online by King’s College London and the Digital Health Systems Collaborative—an international multidisciplinary team in the field of digital health education—to discuss the importance of digital health curricula in medical education following the publication of the Digital Health Competencies in Medical Education (DECODE) curriculum framework.
In the panel discussion session, Prof. Yodi had the opportunity to share the opportunities and challenges of implementing digital health education in Indonesia. Prof. Yodi revealed that currently, digital health education in Indonesia is underway. However, this development is still in the early stages of integration into the medical curriculum.
There have been various efforts by several leading universities in Indonesia to include topics related to digital health in medical education curricula, such as telemedicine, health informatics, and data analysis. However, these efforts have not been fully implemented in all medical schools in Indonesia. This is due to various challenges faced, such as limited expertise in digital health at the faculties, inadequate digital infrastructure, and a curriculum that is still difficult to implement.
“However, despite this, there is recognition among medical academics and policymakers about the important role of digital health in healthcare. This awareness is manifested through collaboration and program development in building digital competencies. Integrating digital health topics into our already dense curriculum requires careful adjustments and rethinking of educational priorities,” concluded Prof. Yodi.
Besides Prof. Yodi, the Digital Health Competency Launch Event also featured several panelists, including Professor Niels H. Chavannes, MD, PhD (Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands); Professor Sinéad Langan, MB BCh BAO (Honours), MSc, PhD, FRCP (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Health Data Research UK, United Kingdom); and Dr. Abenezer Woyesa Turilo (Faculty of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia).
Several speakers shared their insights on the implementation of digital health education, namely Professor Rifat Atun, MBBS, MBA (Harvard University, USA); Jim Campbell, FFPH (Hon), FRSCI (Hon), MPH, MSc (Health Workforce, World Health Organization); Dr. Qi Chwen Ong (Angus), MBBS, CHWC (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore); Professor Sola Aoun Baus, MD, PhD (Lebanese American University, Lebanon); and Professor Christopher A. Longhurst, MD, MS (UC San Diego Health, USA).
The Dean’s participation in the Digital Health Competencies Launch Event is part of FK-KMK UGM’s contribution to support Sustainable Development Goals, particularly point 3: Good Health and Well-being, point 4: Quality Education, point 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, point 10: Reduced Inequalities, and point 17: Partnerships for the Goals. (Author: Citra, Translated by: Tedy A)
