Dr Johann Malawana to explores innovations in digital education and health
A nationally celebrated medic who is at the forefront of revolutionising healthcare training worldwide has accepted a senior role at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Dr Johann Malawana, former leader of the junior doctor dispute in 2015 and more recently Lead for Education and Training in Healthcare at the UK’s Department for International Trade, has been appointed as a senior fellow within UCLan’s School of Medicine.
The influential physician will head the development of a collaborative new research unit exploring innovations in digital education and health*, creating tools which can be used in the UK and globally.
Commenting on his new UCLan role Dr Malawana said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for me to work alongside UCLan in the creation of a new research centre for digital health and education which we hope will ultimately increase quality of care and make health services more person-centred both at home and abroad.”
The renowned doctor is also the CEO and founder of the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) and Medics.Academy.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for me to work alongside UCLan in the creation of a new research centre for digital health and education which we hope will ultimately increase quality of care and make health services more person-centred both at home and abroad"
— UCLan Senior Fellow Dr Johann Malawana
The HLA is an internationally recognised social enterprise for the training and promotion of leadership in healthcare globally while the Medics.Academy platform is helping to contribute solutions to the workforce crisis in healthcare through innovative technology enhanced learning products.
Dr Malawana continued: “UCLan has also worked alongside the HLA and the Medics.Academy to provide a rigorous academic underpinning to the programmes we’ve developed. The new fellowship is recognition of our existing collaboration which I’m excited to now take to the next level.”
UCLan’s Nigel Garratt, Deputy Head, School of Medicine added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Johann. His philosophy and approach to medical education, much like ours, will widen access to the profession and make a real change and impact on the health sector nationally and internationally.”
As part of the initiative the University will continue to work alongside the HLA and the Medics.Academy providing scholars from both organisations with the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study at UCLan.
Note
*It’s becoming increasingly important for doctors and healthcare professionals to be able to exploit digital opportunities in healthcare - improving patient outcomes, delivering safe care more efficiently and effectively, and bridging the gap between health and social care teams.
From mobile medical apps and software that support the clinical decisions doctors make every day to artificial intelligence and machine learning, digital technology has been driving a revolution in healthcare. Digital health tools have the vast potential to improve our ability to accurately diagnose and treat disease and to enhance the delivery of healthcare for the individual.