AN INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS/ PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTITIONERS
This programme starts on the 14th of January 2026 and carries 24 CEUs 12 week programme with live online sessions each Wednesday from 7-9pm (Irish Standard Time)
Fee: €500
To register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/introduction-to-ai-forhealthcare-professionalspublic-health-practitionerstickets-1372866052319?aff=oddtdtcreator
Supported by EUPHA
Established in 1974, the RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery plays a pivotal role in leading and supporting the development of the nursing, midwifery and healthcare professions nationally through the delivery of transformative learning experiences, impactful research in the areas of personal and professional development and supporting the contribution of nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals to health and social care and societal well-being.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the healthcare and public health landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities for enhancing diagnostics, treatment, resource allocation, and population health management. From improving clinical decision-making with predictive analytics to revolutionizing public health surveillance, AI is becoming an indispensable tool in addressing modern healthcare challenges.
However, the integration of AI into healthcare systems also brings a set of challenges—ranging from ethical considerations and data privacy to workforce readiness and the need for regulatory frameworks and facilitating the spread of mis/ disinformation. Many healthcare professionals and public health practitioners may feel underprepared to navigate these complexities, leading to a gap between technological potential and practical implementation.
This CPD course is designed aligned with ASPHER (The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region) Core Curriculum for Public Health in relation to Digital Transformation in Public Health, to bridge this gap by equipping healthcare and public health professionals with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to understand, evaluate, and utilize AI tools in their practice. The course provides a comprehensive exploration of AI’s applications, ethical considerations, and limitations within a healthcare or clinical context.
PROGRAMME AIM:
The aim of this programme is to equip healthcare professionals with AI literacy to enhance decisionmaking, develop essential skills, ensure ethical and responsible use, and align AI applications with policy and public health practices for improved patient and population outcome
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
On successful completion of this programme, participants will be able to:
• Understand the fundamentals of AI and its relevance to healthcare and public health.
• Identify and evaluate the potential applications and limitations of AI in clinical and public health contexts.
• Develop an awareness of the ethical, legal, and regulatory implications of AI in healthcare.
• Acquire skills to assess and critically appraise AIbased tools and technologies.
• The potential role of AI in the spread of mis/ disinformation.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE:
The programme is delivered over 12-weeks, with weekly live online sessions on Wednesday evenings from 7:00–9:00 PM (Irish time) commencing in January 2026. A variety of discipline specific experts from academia and clinical settings will deliver the session.
1. Enhanced Decision-Making: AI empowers healthcare providers with insights derived from large datasets, enabling more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and efficient use of resources.
2. Appropriate Skills: As healthcare systems increasingly adopt AI technologies, professionals equipped with AI literacy will be better positioned to lead and adapt to these innovations.
3. Ethical and Responsible Use: By understanding AI’s potential and limitations, attendees can ensure its ethical deployment, safeguarding patient privacy and promoting equitable healthcare outcomes.
4. Policy and Practice Alignment: Public health practitioners can leverage AI for informed policy-making, enhanced surveillance, and targeted interventions to improve population health.
PROGRAMME LEAD:
Professor Mary Rose Sweeney, Ph.D., BSc,
Registered General Nurse, Senior Fellow of Advance HE.
Mary Rose is the Executive Vice Dean for Education in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI. Mary Rose has been working in Health Systems/Public Health for over 25 years and is an experienced leader, lecturer, researcher and mentor. She is focused on developing innovative programmes to support leaders in healthcare and nurses, to grow and excel in challenging and changing health landscapes.
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR:
Dr. Shuhua Yang, Ph.D., MSc., BSc
Shuhua is a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI. She holds a PhD in human nutrition. She has been involved in multiple research projects in healthy eating, dietary intake assessment, community health development, etc. Her work currently focuses on public health improvement, with a particular interest in supporting and developing educational programmes to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for emerging challenges in healthcare practice.
CO-PROGRAMME LEAD:
Dr. Marcello Di Pumpo, MD, MSc, PhDc
Marcello is a Public Health Medical Doctor and is a Founding Member and Secretary for the Italian Society for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SIIAM). He has a Master’s degree in Machine Learning and Big Data for Precision Medicine and Biomedical Research. Marcello is currently pursuing a PhD in Basic Biomedical Science and Public Health. He is involved in the strategic implementation of Artificial Intelligence at various levels of the Italian Healthcare system.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
For further information please email: maryrosesweeney@rcsi.ie