Luca De Biase & Stefano Moriggi PART 1
29 January 2025
PART 1
The intersection of digital technology and healthcare is one of the most intriguing—and, in many ways, most urgent—frontiers for rethinking the concept of citizenship. As we face the challenges of an increasingly digital future, we need to reconsider both the theory and practice of civic engagement. Ensuring widespread and seamless access to services, prioritizing prevention, and leveraging technological innovation to advance diagnostics and drug discovery are just a few key areas where research and development can reshape not only the profile of future patients but also the broader identity of individuals navigating a new landscape of rights and opportunities. In this evolving context, digital literacy is becoming a crucial pillar of modern citizenship.
This perspective has guided the decision of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia to introduce a bachelor’s degree in Digital Education within the CHIMOMO Department (Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental, and Morphological Sciences with a Focus on Transplantation, Oncology, and Medicine). The program is currently coordinated by Professor Stefano Moriggi, who teaches Digital Citizenship.
Students can choose from three areas of specialization: Psycho-Social Digital Educator, Digital Educator in Healthcare Settings, and Instructional Designer for Digital Environments. The program is designed to train professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness digital tools for innovation in education and healthcare services. Ultimately, a new model of citizenship may emerge from a renewed focus on digital education, particularly in support of public health.
This perspective has guided the decision of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia to introduce a bachelor’s degree in Digital Education within the CHIMOMO Department (Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental, and Morphological Sciences with a Focus on Transplantation, Oncology, and Medicine). The program is currently coordinated by Professor Stefano Moriggi, who teaches Digital Citizenship.
Students can choose from three areas of specialization: Psycho-Social Digital Educator, Digital Educator in Healthcare Settings, and Instructional Designer for Digital Environments. The program is designed to train professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness digital tools for innovation in education and healthcare services. Ultimately, a new model of citizenship may emerge from a renewed focus on digital education, particularly in support of public health.
Luca De Biase
Why is it necessary to teach Digital Education to those working in public healthcare?
Why is it necessary to teach Digital Education to those working in public healthcare?
Stefano Moriggi
Digital education should now be a priority for everyone—not just for those working in public healthcare. The digital world is not, and should not be seen as, merely a tool that can be used well or poorly. Its pervasiveness has shaped an entirely new ecosystem, where many of the categories that once helped us navigate and understand reality are gradually losing their descriptive power and practical relevance—including the very concept of citizenship. Not to mention how digital transformation has blurred the boundaries between public and private life, work and leisure, presence and absence—and even, in some ways, between the known and the unknown in scientific research, including biomedical sciences. In a sense, we could argue that as long as we feel the need to qualify education with the term digital, we are implicitly treating it as something external—something separate from reality. But like it or not, digital technology has become inseparable from our lives, shaping the way we experience and interact with the world. And its influence will only continue to grow.
Digital education should now be a priority for everyone—not just for those working in public healthcare. The digital world is not, and should not be seen as, merely a tool that can be used well or poorly. Its pervasiveness has shaped an entirely new ecosystem, where many of the categories that once helped us navigate and understand reality are gradually losing their descriptive power and practical relevance—including the very concept of citizenship. Not to mention how digital transformation has blurred the boundaries between public and private life, work and leisure, presence and absence—and even, in some ways, between the known and the unknown in scientific research, including biomedical sciences. In a sense, we could argue that as long as we feel the need to qualify education with the term digital, we are implicitly treating it as something external—something separate from reality. But like it or not, digital technology has become inseparable from our lives, shaping the way we experience and interact with the world. And its influence will only continue to grow.
Luca De Biase
Among the rights of citizenship is access to a public healthcare system capable of adapting to the context of a digitalized society. But what are the priorities for implementing these rights?
Among the rights of citizenship is access to a public healthcare system capable of adapting to the context of a digitalized society. But what are the priorities for implementing these rights?
Stefano Moriggi
Ensuring a public healthcare system suited to a digitalized society requires a program with several key priorities. Among them: bridging the digital divide by providing equitable and easy access to technology and connectivity so that everyone can benefit from digital healthcare services. At the same time, both cultural and financial investments are needed to enhance digital literacy among citizens—and, of course, healthcare professionals—to promote a conscious and effective use of technology. Additionally, building secure and interoperable infrastructures is essential to protect personal data and enable the seamless exchange of information between systems. From a strictly medical perspective, advancing telemedicine and leveraging artificial intelligence for faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatments—as well as accelerating drug discovery—should also be a focus. Last but not least, developing clear regulations that safeguard citizens’ rights by ensuring transparency and accessibility while protecting individual privacy is another critical area of research and development. These steps are essential to designing a healthcare system aligned with the evolving dynamics of an increasingly digital society.
Ensuring a public healthcare system suited to a digitalized society requires a program with several key priorities. Among them: bridging the digital divide by providing equitable and easy access to technology and connectivity so that everyone can benefit from digital healthcare services. At the same time, both cultural and financial investments are needed to enhance digital literacy among citizens—and, of course, healthcare professionals—to promote a conscious and effective use of technology. Additionally, building secure and interoperable infrastructures is essential to protect personal data and enable the seamless exchange of information between systems. From a strictly medical perspective, advancing telemedicine and leveraging artificial intelligence for faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatments—as well as accelerating drug discovery—should also be a focus. Last but not least, developing clear regulations that safeguard citizens’ rights by ensuring transparency and accessibility while protecting individual privacy is another critical area of research and development. These steps are essential to designing a healthcare system aligned with the evolving dynamics of an increasingly digital society.
Luca De Biase
Can you provide examples of how digital education can improve public healthcare?
Can you provide examples of how digital education can improve public healthcare?
Stefano Moriggi
Digital education can contribute to the innovation of public healthcare in various fields and ways. Raising citizens’ awareness about the use of healthcare apps allows for better monitoring of chronic diseases and lifestyle choices, enhancing prevention and early diagnosis. As mentioned earlier, digital training for doctors can support the spread of telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and wearable technologies, thus expanding access to care and facilitating personalized treatments. Furthermore, increasingly sophisticated algorithms based on big data can analyze symptoms and genetic data for faster and more accurate predictive diagnoses.
Digital education can contribute to the innovation of public healthcare in various fields and ways. Raising citizens’ awareness about the use of healthcare apps allows for better monitoring of chronic diseases and lifestyle choices, enhancing prevention and early diagnosis. As mentioned earlier, digital training for doctors can support the spread of telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and wearable technologies, thus expanding access to care and facilitating personalized treatments. Furthermore, increasingly sophisticated algorithms based on big data can analyze symptoms and genetic data for faster and more accurate predictive diagnoses.
