Digital Health Systems Optimization Challenge
Find where a healthcare system loses time, then redesign the workflow that's causing it.
Time commitment
6–8 hours a week over four weeks
Format
Competition · Virtual
Fee
Free to apply
Apply by
15 Aug 2026
Team size
1–3
Rounds
1
Healthcare systems rely on interconnected people, processes and technologies, but inefficient workflows cause delays, fragmented communication and poor resource utilization. You work through realiztic healthcare scenarios, analyzing patient journeys, information flow and clinical decision-making. The focus is practical systems optimization through technology and systems thinking, no medical expertise required.
During the challenge, you will
- Analyze healthcare workflows and identify operational bottlenecks
- Evaluate patient journeys and digital information flow
- Design optimized workflows using digital technologies and automation
- Assess the impact of system improvements on efficiency and patient outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a medical or clinical background?+
No, and that's deliberate. This is systems thinking applied to healthcare operations, patient journeys, information flow, bottlenecks. Clinical expertise isn't required or assessed.
Can I enter on my own?+
Yes. Teams are one to three people, so entering solo is a valid choice. Larger teams tend to cover more ground in the analysis.
How is it judged?+
A single round, judged on the quality of your analysis and the practicality of your proposed workflow. Placements are awarded on top of the completion tier everyone who finishes receives.
What actually happens in the first week?+
Day one you're placed in a team and given the brief, the materials and a named mentor. By the end of week one you'll have agreed how your team works together and produced your first deliverable. You'll know what's expected of you, and when, before you start.
My teammates will be in other time zones. How does that work?+
Teams are grouped into compatible time zones wherever numbers allow, and the work is built to be done asynchronously, shared documents, recorded updates, and a small number of live checkpoints scheduled with your team.
Most learners tell us the global team was the best part. It's also the part that needs the most coordination, so we plan for it rather than leaving it to chance.
Do I need experience to apply?+
No. These are entry points, not tests, the tools are taught as part of the program. Around a quarter of learners tell us they used a tool for the first time here.
Is it really free?+
Yes. No application fee, no participation fee, and no charge for your certificate or badge. Programs are funded by the sponsoring university or partner organization.
Is this paid work, and does it lead to a job?+
It isn't paid employment and it doesn't guarantee a job. What it produces is a portfolio piece and a Skills Track Record, evidence of what you did, assessed through your work and your team's feedback, that you can show any employer.
Can I take more than one?+
Yes, and many people do, around one in ten learners come back for a second. Trainee level is the usual starting point, with Associate level as the step up.
What do I get at the end?+
A verified digital badge, a certificate of completion, and a Skills Track Record listing the capabilities you demonstrated. Associate-level programs also carry a letter of recommendation.
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