There is broad recognition of the critical role that data science plays in transforming medicine and its potential to enhance healthcare delivery. As healthcare becomes more data-intensive, it is essential that medical graduates possess the core competencies necessary to excel in this evolving environment. The rapid expansion of healthcare data—ranging from electronic health records to large-scale disease tracking datasets—offers opportunities to improve patient outcomes, optimise resource management, reduce costs, and drive innovation, ultimately leading to a more efficient, effective, and accessible NHS.
In order to address this, The Medical Schools Council (MSC) and Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) have produced Data Science in the Medical Curriculum: Equipping Medical Students for the Digital Age, outlining the key competencies that graduating doctors must possess, including health informatics, artificial intelligence, data governance, and the ethical, professional, legal, and regulatory considerations surrounding digital health.
These timely recommendations come at a pivotal moment, as medical educators worldwide consider the skills and knowledge essential for practising cutting-edge medicine in the years ahead. The report draws directly from a new study conducted by leading institutions, including Imperial College London, King’s College London, and Harvard University in the USA. This study employed a rigorous international consensus exercise, bringing together experts in medical education and data science to define a comprehensive set of digital health competencies. A working group led by the MSC and HDR UK subsequently refined these competencies to align with the needs of all UK medical graduates.
Read the full report: Data Science in the Medical Curriculum - Equipping medical students for the digital age