Trinity College Dublin’s School of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Oulu (Finland) and Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), has launched a new continuous professional development (CPD) course, ‘Generative AI Essentials for Healthcare’, designed to equip healthcare professionals with the practical AI skills needed for modern practice.
Developed under the SUSA (Sustainable Healthcare with Digital Health Data Competence) project, this co-designed coursestands out for its international, interdisciplinary approach, that aims for professionals to gain real-world, evidence-based training on how to integrate AI into their daily work.
“AI is already reshaping healthcare, and as a leading academic institution, Trinity is committed to ensuring that healthcare professionals are equipped to adapt and lead,” said Prof Colin Doherty, Head of School, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. “This course marks the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at integrating AI into medical education and practice in a responsible and evidence-based way.”
Key features of the course include:
- Real-world case studies showcasing AI’s impact in clinical decision-making.
- Hands-on experience with AI tools such as ChatGPT and CoPilot.
- Ethical considerations and regulatory compliance in AI-driven healthcare.
- Blended learning format, combining interactive online content with live expert-led sessions.
“This course isn’t just about learning AI, it’s about applying it in a way that improves both patient care and the way we work,” said Dr Guido Giunti, Associate Professor of Digital Health at the University of Oulu and Adjunct Professor at Trinity College. “It’s funny how as a student I used to dream about integrating AI into healthcare, but this is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a present necessity.”
Given the rapid pace of AI development, the course will be continuously iterated based on participant feedback and emerging trends in AI and digital health.
“Artificial intelligence is not static — new advancements happen every day. That’s why this course is designed to evolve,” said Prof Juan Ramón Lacalle of Universidad de Sevilla. “Our collective goal is to bridge the digital divide in healthcare.”
The SUSA project, supported by EU Digital Europe Programme funding, is a multi-institutional initiative aimed at advancing digital health skills across Europe. This course lays the groundwork for future AI education efforts at Trinity College and its partner institutions.
Prof Doherty added: “This is just the beginning. Trinity is committed to integrating AI into healthcare education, and our involvement with SUSA serve as blueprints for future programmes that will continue to support and upskill healthcare professionals.”
