The Medical Schools Council (MSC) and Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) have released a report that outlines essential data science expertise needed to meet the demands of the 21st-century healthcare landscape. Titled Data Science in the Medical Curriculum: Equipping Medical Students for the Digital Age, the report highlights the value of incorporating AI, machine learning, and data analytics into medical education.
There is broad recognition of the critical role that data science plays in transforming medicine and its potential to enhance healthcare delivery. The UK government has recently outlined plans to harness technology and AI to revolutionise public services, including the NHS, with significant investment to support these efforts.
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.
The report highlights 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.
Professor Andrew Morris, Director of Health Data Research UK said: “Doctors and healthcare professionals are the bedrock of the NHS, and we must give them the skills to thrive in a world where data and AI is set to transform the way we deliver care, improve outcomes and drive innovation.”
