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Facts and Stats:
- From 2022 to 2032, about 1.8 million employment vacancies* in the healthcare industry are projected each year, on average.
- In terms of credentials average performance** in jobs, prior work experience was required for 39.1% of healthcare practitioners. On-the-job training was required for 72.3% of them.
- Physicians and Surgeons are the top-paying healthcare practitioners, earning*** at least $239,200/year. Home Health and Personal Care Aides make $33,530 annually, according to 2023 data.
Choosing to enroll in a health profession is a huge decision. When you study medicine and other related healthcare courses, you are committing to at least three full years to develop, train, and learn a new profession.
The healthcare field entails a commitment to make a big difference in other people’s lives and society in general.
If you are fascinated by health and science and have the interest and passion for securing a career in the healthcare industry, your best option is to get a degree in medicine and health science.
Top 12 Free Online College Courses for Medicine and Healthcare
From statistical analysis of medical data to medicine, there are so many online courses covering the massive world of medical subjects. Here are 12 free online college courses for medicine and health care that you may want to consider.
Disaster Medicine Training
Stanford University Online, via edX
This course was created to teach a solid foundation of disaster medicine knowledge that each healthcare provider should know to respond to disasters properly.
This free online course was developed through the Stanford Emergency Medicine Program for Emergency Response and is self-paced on your time.
Disaster Medicine Training is a self-paced course that features video lectures. After each module, questions and case scenarios are given.
Before starting the course, however, you must take an overall pre-test, and a post-test is given as well after completing the modules. You need to have a score of at least 80% after the course to earn a Statement of Accomplishment.
The course is handled by Jessica Ngo, Clinical Assistant, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University.
Best Features:
- 100% free and online
- Suitable for beginners
- Self-paced
- Verified Certificate available for $50
- Shareable Certificate
Mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19
Harvard University, via edX
Suppose you are a licensed clinician working in a non-ICU hospital. In that case, this course will teach you how to support critical care respiratory physicians, therapists, and nurses in taking care of a patient with mechanical ventilation.
In this free online course, you are provided with general information about mechanical ventilation. This is only for licensed medical professionals and is, in fact, a great primer for non-ICU physicians who are asked to handle critical care areas. This will help you better understand the fundamental concepts of mechanical ventilation.
This is handled by Dr. Susan Wilcox, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Thomas Piraino, RRT, FCSRT, FAARCl St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Self-paced
- One week-long, 2-5 hours per week
- Certificate available
Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – via Coursera
Epidemiology is dubbed as the ‘cornerstone’ of public health. This course is about the determinants of health conditions, diseases, or even among populations and their application to health problem control. When you apply the concepts in epidemiology, you will have a clear understanding of public health issues and how they relate to real life.
In this course, you will explore public health issues like infectious and cardiovascular diseases—both globally and locally, through the eyes of epidemiology.
The course is handled by Dr. Karin Yeatts, Clinical Associate Professor from the Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings Schools of Global Public Health, and Dr. Lorraine Alexander, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Distance Learning (North Carolina Institute of Public Health).
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Flexible deadlines
- Shareable Certificate
- Paid Certificate Available
- Six weeks long, 6 hours worth of material
COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Workers
Stanford University, via Coursera
Because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, healthcare providers should be prepared and knowledgeable in recognizing, stabilizing, and treating patients with the infection.
This course is designed for physicians, nurses, and other professionals in the healthcare industry to have a more unified and evidence-based approach to how they should address COVID-19 patients, whether simple or critical cases.
The learning modules are broken down into short videos. These videos are presented in a richly compelling and illustrated manner. Since this free online course is self-paced, you can join the class according to your schedule.
Some topics in the course include COVID-19 signs, how to stabilize a patient, how you can prevent intubation, and managing ventilators. Handouts and simple infographics are handed out to educate you further and help promote the best care across the whole institution.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Self-Paced
- Paid Certificate Available
- One week-long, 6 hours worth of materials
- The full course is also available in Spanish and Hindi
Introduction to Dental Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania, via Coursera
As its name implies, introduction to dental medicine gives you an outlook of dental medicine to educate, engage, excite, and assist you on how you can help improve the oral health of patients and the community.
You will study different areas in dental medicine, like the scope of the program, what you can expect in function, and some ways that dysfunction presents in different patients. Discussions include jaw, mouth, or tooth anatomy, pathology, and overall treatment.
This free online course is suitable for beginners. It also talks about the differences between patients and the specific roles that other members of the dental world play in treatment, depending on the case and patient.
Upon starting, you will learn about the basic concepts of dental medicine and learn about research and technology trends.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Suitable for beginners
- Paid Certificate available
- Seven weeks long, 10 hours worth of material
Become an EMT
The University of Colorado System, via Coursera
This course teaches you how to care for both stable and unstable patients before they reach the hospital. You will determine time-sensitive diseases and traumatic and medical conditions that affect pediatric and adult patients.
In the first part of this 7-month course, you are taught how to assess an emergency, prepare the right care, understand the framework for patient assessment, learn the background of emergency medical services, and distinguish personal requirements to become an EMT.
In the second course, you address breathing, airway, circulation, medication administration, and how you will know if a patient has a diabetic emergency or a stroke.
The third course covers the necessary skills related to CPR performance, toxicology, and wilderness emergency medicine. Course 4 is where you will learn trauma emergency skills, and finally, in the last course, you focus on pregnancy, infants, and pediatrics.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Shareable Certificate
- Flexible Schedules
- Seven months to complete the course
Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare
Northwestern University, via Coursera
Are you a fresh high school graduate, a recent college graduate, or a professional contemplating transitioning into the healthcare industry for better career options? Then this free online course is perfect for you.
Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare aims to teach you the strategies to help you enter into the healthcare workforce, as well as in any health-related field.
This course is full of guests, lecturers, and ordinary healthcare professionals sharing their personal stories, journeys, and experiences in their health-related careers.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Takes 19 hours to complete
- Certificate Available
- More than 50 guests and lecturers talk about the healthcare profession
- A good tool through which parents, educators, and guidance counselors can support a student’s career readiness and professional advancement
The Science of Health Care Delivery
Arizona State University, via Coursera
This free online program was developed by the Arizona State University Alliance for Health Care and Mayo Clinic. It introduces scientific methods to improve the quality of patient care and population health while studying ways to minimize health costs.
The full program explores the critical concepts in the Science of Health Care Delivery and clarifies why it is paramount for future patient care. Healthcare professionals or aspiring healthcare providers can take advantage of this free course.
After this program, you will fully grasp the importance of enhancing the quality of care necessary in health care systems and patients. Most of the lectures are presented in videos, and after each presentation, an expert reflection reinforces the domain’s concepts.
C. Dan Johnson, MD, Professor of Radiology at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, and Natalia Wilson, MD, Clinical Associate Professor from Arizona State University, teach the course.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Flexible deadlines
- Paid Certificate Available
- Helpful for professionals in the healthcare domain
- Suitable for beginners
Systems Thinking in Public Health
Johns Hopkins University, via Coursera
This online course provides an overview of systems models and thinking in public health. Everybody knows how complex and problematic most public health and health policies are because of the many institutions, actors, and risk factors involved.
Systems thinking is very important in public health. This helps health policymakers create policies and programs that they know of and prepares them for any potential unintended consequences.
The main lesson from this free course is understanding the types and importance of engagements with various stakeholders.
This highly pedagogical course offers you all the critical knowledge and tools to deal with the complexities of public health while leaving behind the linear, abstractive way of thinking.
The lectures here are highly informative, analytical, finely structured, and well-focused. This is handled by David Bishai, MD, Ph.D., and Ligia Paina, Ph.D.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Shareable Certificate
- Flexible deadlines
- Takes 15 hours to complete
Health Care Innovation
The University of Pennsylvania, via Coursera
This course teaches you the basic economic theories behind healthcare innovation and further teaches you how to improve your healthcare practice or organization. You will have practical knowledge of operations management and behavioral economics frameworks in the healthcare setting.
Out of this course, you can apply these frameworks in assessing healthcare practices and applying innovation while managing risk.
The Business of Health Care Specialization can be completed in 7 hours to adapt to your busy and committed professional life. What’s great about this course is the expertise of the lecturers and professors.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Shareable Certificate
- Self-Paced
- Course Videos and Readings
- Practice quizzes and graded assignments
Clinical Terminology for International and US Students
The University of Pittsburgh, via Coursera
Clinical terms and medical abbreviations used during written or verbal communication in US hospitals are very challenging.
This free online course is for students in the health care profession and for international teachers or practitioners and enrollees who wish to become more adept with the language of the US clinical setting.
This course is also ideal for medical interpreters and caregivers who want to enhance their knowledge of abbreviations and terms used by healthcare providers. You become more familiar with clinical terms and mobile equipment, diseases, and laboratory tests.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Flexible deadlines
- Shareable Certificate
- Takes 34 hours to complete
Palliative Care Always Specialization
Stanford University, via Coursera
This is a specialized course designed for health care practitioners, caregivers, and patients. It is designed to show how palliative medicine incorporates patient care and how you can develop primary palliative care skills. In this five-course, six-month program, you will learn:
- The roles and scope of palliative care as part of a patient and family’s care plan
- Elements of a treatment plan for psychosocial, physical, and spiritual care, including assessment, screening, or management of every patient’s needs
- Issues around transitions in care (hospice transition or survivorship)
- Efficient communication skills so you can respond to emotions better and know how to deliver difficult news to families
In this specialization, five courses are included:
Course 1: Essentials of Palliative Care: This begins your journey of incorporating palliative care into your day-to-day life. You may have a broader understanding of the fundamentals of palliative care, how you can effectively communicate with your patients, how you can show empathy, and practice difficult conversations.
Course 2: Symptom Management in Palliative Care. This is where your primary palliative care skills—psychosocial support and communication, are enhanced. You will learn how to assess, screen, and manage both patients’ psychological and physical symptoms. You will discover common symptoms like nausea, fatigue, pain, and distress.
Course 3. Transitions in Care from Survivorship to Hospice. This continues building your primary palliative care skills—goals of care, communication, psychosocial support, and symptom management.
This also covers spiritual care and teaches you how to screen for spiritual distress. Also, you are taught about the requirements for hospice care and practice discussions and difficult conversations at the end of life care.
Course 4. Supporting Families and Caregivers: This discusses the challenges friends and families of a patient suffering from a serious illness face and how you can support and care for them as family friends, social workers, or providers. This especially focuses on the children of a patient and their caregiver and teaches you an ideal way of empowering them to get the support they need.
Course 5. Palliative Care Always Capstone Course: This now tests your knowledge about palliative and helps others understand the value of palliative care while showing your creative side. You will impact community awareness about palliative care and promote self-care and wellness.
Best Features:
- 100% online and free
- Shareable Certificate
- Flexible Schedules
- Six months to complete
- Self-Paced
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Health Science?
Health science is different from other basic science courses like chemistry, physics, or biology because these areas generally explore topics not related to health. Although these branches of science specifically concentrate on health outcomes and health problems, these are broad interdisciplinary fields that deal with both behavioral and natural science.
Health science programs combine laboratory science classes with courses necessary for learning population health, reasons why people make poor and unhealthy choices, and other factors outside someone’s control that influence their health.
Health science programs normally need coursework in health-related social science fields like sociology, psychology, and epidemiology. These degrees also include coursework in exercise science and nutrition, and they usually call for many classes in public health. Additionally, programs that fall under this discipline allow students to study business or health policies of health care.
Medicine and health care programs apply to different health professions. However, some health occupations like physical therapy, medicine, and occupational therapy, need clinical training and graduate education beyond the basic health science bachelor’s degree.
Most jobs in the healthcare field need certification. Some of the careers in health science include:
- Behavior analyst
- Doctor
- Community health or public health worker
- Health educator
- Hearing aid specialist
- Mental health counselor
- Pharmacy sales representative
- Patience care advocate
- Registered diagnostic medical sonographer
- Physical or occupational therapist
- Research assistant or associate
- Registered radiologic technologist
- Registered dietician
- Research assistant or associate
According to Karen Dielman, the dean of health sciences of the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, graduates in health sciences are often known as “technologists” in the professional world. However, each profession has a more specific and formal title in its discipline.
Why Should You Study Healthcare?
There are many reasons people opt to study for healthcare degrees, ranging from their calling to a calculated financial gain. Whether a healthcare degree is your first course or you consider it your backup degree option, studying programs in this field is a long-term commitment and something that you should not take lightly.
The healthcare industry is a truly rewarding and valued profession that must not be overlooked. Here are reasons why studying for a degree in healthcare is a wise move.
You Will Be Employable. Healthcare is one of today’s fastest-growing sectors. Meaning that health courses have the best graduate employability rates since they are very high in demand. As people grow old, more and more need care and support. This assures you that the skills and experience you will gain in health care will always be in huge demand.
Developmental Opportunities. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is highly valued within the healthcare field for better career improvement and to guarantee that you are up-to-date with the relevant skills and regulations needed in the healthcare field.
When you study a specific healthcare role, you can easily gain further skills in different areas to boost your employability skills. In essence, all staff in the healthcare industry have personal development plans. This gives you a better opportunity to discover new skills, take on new tasks, and progress in areas you enjoy.
Financial Support. Today, subsidies are no longer readily available to help you cover all the fees for your chosen undergraduate health course. However, there is still other help you can avail yourself of to pursue a career in healthcare.
If you have studied for a degree before, and you wish to study for a second degree in the field of healthcare, you can apply for scholarships from student finance to help you cover the expenses.
Job Satisfaction. Every day, you will make a huge difference in a lot of people’s lives. This noble profession will naturally give you that feeling of satisfaction. Caring for other people and seeing your patients get better because of your commitment and work is rewarding and fulfilling.
Variety. The best thing about working in the healthcare industry is not a ‘dead-end job. This program can give you an unlimited number of roles and places.
When you study and train on something, you have many opportunities to gain new skills and get involved in new healthcare industry areas. The rise of technology in the healthcare world means more careers are available, such as therapists or technicians.
Global Opportunities. Every country has its own healthcare needs, so your career opportunities are not limited to the US alone. The healthcare education offered in the US is, in fact, very advanced, so if you have plans of seeking better opportunities and want to experience it overseas, you are skilled enough to perform your tasks.
What are Some of the Best Careers in Medicine and Healthcare?
Physical Therapist. This career is the number one best health career because it is a profitable profession with incredible growth expected in a few years. Physical therapy also provides a relatively comfortable and flexible lifestyle. As of the most recent statistics, the median annual income of PTs was $97,720.
Accordingly, the demand for physical therapists is expected to increase by 15% by 2032. Unlike other health-related careers, PTs have the free hand in choosing their clients, making their hours, and are most likely self-employed.
Dental Hygienist. From 2022 to 2032, there is an estimated 16,300 new dental hygienist jobs available. This is an impressive 7% growth rate, something that is way faster than average.
Physician Assistants. These are not the same with medical assistants. Physician assistants are intensively trained health workers who have advanced degrees. They closely work with medical doctors to diagnose and treat illnesses.
Nurse Practitioners. In many states in the US, nurse practitioners are licensed and authorized to perform medical doctors. Since the demand for health care services is expected to increase in the next decade, nurse practitioners are more in demand by 38%.
Physician. When you become a physician, you carry a huge task that needs dedication, a substantial investment of time, and many financial resources. However, we all know the tangible rewards physicians get, right? With a median salary of more than $229,300 today, it’s no surprise that physicians are among the top healthcare professionals available.
Registered Nurse. Today, there are more than three million registered nursing jobs across the US. This number is expected to balloon by 6% through 2032. Nurses have a median salary of $81,2200.
Occupational Therapist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the demand for OTs would grow faster than average, at a rate of 16% by 2032. This expected growth is coupled with a median salary of $84,950 per year, which explains why this is also a very desirable career path. Occupational therapists have at least a master’s degree.
Home Health Aide. Just because one is a health worker doesn’t mean he has to spend most of his days in a clinic or hospital. Home health aides are the ones who assist patients in the patient’s home. These healthcare professionals have a wide employment market, with about a 22% projected growth rate.
However, their salary is relatively smaller, with a median figure of $30,180 (at $14.51/hour); the projected job growth that is said to reach 3,715,500 jobs by 2032 gives you so many opportunities field. Becoming a home health aide is quite accessible. The education requirement is simply a high school diploma or an equivalency exam.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. These healthcare professionals closely work with physicians, although they don’t need a lot of training. Meaning they have a faster track of employment. By 2032, the demand for a medical sonographer is expected to grow by 10%, translating to more opportunities, especially for graduating students.
To become a sonographer and work in laboratories, hospitals, or medical office settings, you need an associate’s degree and certification.
Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse. There’s no denying that the demand for practically all nurse types is very high. Some even say the shortage is a crisis. This is why the demand for licensed vocational or licensed practical nurses is presumed to climb.
There are an estimated 34,900 more jobs for this healthcare position by 2032. These healthcare workers work under the supervision of physicians, and nurses, and they provide nursing care to people of all ages.
Radiologic Technologist. X-rays and other diagnostic imaging techniques have been used for many years and remain one of the most effective methods to check tumors and cancers up to now. Radiologic technologists will be very in demand in the coming years, with 15,400 expected positions in the coming decade. Rad techs earn a median annual wage of $67,180.
What qualities will I need for a career in Healthcare?
- Communication Skills: Healthcare professionals must be able to communicate effectively with their patients and colleagues. They must be able to listen, understand, and explain information in a clear and concise manner.
- Compassion: Healthcare professionals must be compassionate, caring, and understanding towards their patients and colleagues.
- Attention to Detail: Healthcare professionals must pay close attention to detail to provide the best care for their patients.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Healthcare professionals must be able to quickly and accurately identify, analyze, and resolve complex medical issues.
- Interpersonal Skills: Healthcare professionals must have strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with patients, families, and colleagues.
- Time Management Skills: Healthcare professionals must be able to manage their time effectively to meet the needs of their patients.
- Technical Skills: Healthcare professionals must have a thorough understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and treatments. They must also be able to effectively use medical technology.
- Leadership Skills: Healthcare professionals must be able to take the initiative and lead to ensure the best care for their patients.
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, the advantages of free online health courses are abundant. They provide convenience, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and personalized learning experiences for individuals seeking to improve their health and well-being.
With the increasing availability and popularity of these courses, it is clear that they have a significant role to play in promoting a healthier and more informed society.
Additional Information:
