Pioneers of Medicine and Medical Breakthroughs in Taiwan (Coursera)

Pioneers of Medicine and Medical Breakthroughs in Taiwan (Coursera)

Through ages, doctors and scientists have worked hard to fight against different diseases, but it is not easy to find the effective way to deal with them. However, it is a lot faster and easier to approach new problems nowadays with the help of past experience and modern technology. In this course, we are going to show you some common diseases and its current management. At the same time, we will also show you how modern medicine has developed and what breakthroughs are specially made in Taiwan.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

What You Will Learn

  • Recognize the basics of Hepatitis B, chronic kidney disease and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Welcome to this course!
Welcome to Pioneers of Medicine and Medical Breakthroughs in Taiwan!

WEEK 2
W2-1 Hepatitis B: a Quest for Pathogenesis, Natural Course and Management
Many of us have received Hepatitis B vaccine in our earlier life and perhaps some of you have just received a booster shot recently. However, do you know why we should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine? Although the vaccine can prevent the contraction of hepatitis B virus, there are still many HBV carriers all around the world. Thus, the treatment of Hepatitis B should also be sought to improve the outcome of the patients. In this lesson, you will learn about how the vaccine changed the fate of many people and what antiviral treatments are available for hepatitis B.
W2-2 Hepatitis B: Nationwide Vaccination and Public Health Impact
The Hepatitis B immunization program has been a success in Taiwan. Since the implementation of the vaccination program, the prevalence and incidence of Hepatitis B have dropped significantly. In order to optimize the protection against Hepatitis B, the government has to prevent the transmission of the virus. One route of transmission is the vertical transmission, which is mother-to-child transmission. If a pregnant woman is a hepatitis B carrier, will the infant be infected too? What can we do to prevent vertical transmission? In this lesson, pediatrician Dr. Chang will talk about the strategy to tackle this problem.

WEEK 3
W3 End-stage Renal Disease in Taiwan: Transformation from the Worst to the Better
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common in Taiwan. With the progression of CKD, the patient will reach the final stage of the disease, which is called End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Most patients with ESRD will have to receive dialysis to substitute for their failing kidney. The prevalence of dialysis in Taiwan is among the top in the world due to its health care policy. In this talk, nephrologist Dr. Chao will give you an insight about end-stage renal disease and its management.

WEEK 4
W4 Outcomes of Living-related Kidney Transplantation
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease. It means that the kidney can no longer function on their own. At this point, interventions must be done to help the failing kidney. In this lesson, you will learn about the role of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation in ESRD, which have saved many lives. In this talk, Prof. Tsai, an experienced and skillful renal transplant surgeon, will also share his experience in living-related renal transplantation in National Taiwan University Hospital.

WEEK 5
W5 Extracorporeal Life Support: Advancement and Utilization
Basic life support has been a critical skill for everyone when facing emergency. Nowadays with the progression of modern medicine, we can actually save a patient without heart or lung!
Through this lesson, you are going to take a glimpse on how ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) works, and those real cases saved by the use of this machine. At the same time, ECPR (Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) developed by NTUH (National Taiwan university hospital) will also give you the new concept of resuscitation, and you are sure to better understand how doctors save severe patients through these incredible ways.

WEEK 6
W6 Conclusion

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

The New Nordic Diet - from Gastronomy to Health (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

The New Nordic Diet - from Gastronomy to Health (Coursera)

The New Nordic Diet is a new food culture developed in 2009-13 with key emphasis on gastronomy, health, and environment. Major research in its effect on acceptability, behaviour and learning skills, and disease prevention have been conducted by the OPUS centre at the University of Copenhagen and the people behind the award-winning restaurant Noma in Copenhagen. This course will give the participants the opportunity to experience a healthy and palatable new food and eating concept diet “The New Nordic Diet” and an understanding of how food and diets can affect mental and physical health and ensure the foundation for a healthier life style for future generations with a regional based diet and food culture.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown (Coursera)

Welcome to this on-demand MOOC “In the footsteps of Zika… approaching the unknown”. This MOOC has been produced by Université de Genève Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Descartes and Centre Virchow-Villermé. With the help of the intervention of faculty members and international experts, we will explore together the recent Zika phenomenon, a previously rare benign virus that recently turned unexpectedly into the limelight when on the 1st of February 2016 it was declared by the WHO as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine (Coursera)

Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine are two distinct medical systems, yet they both aim at the prevention and treatment of human diseases. With this in mind, we should understand the practice of Chinese Medicine in the context of Modern Medicine. In this course, we explore the basic theories underlying the practice of Chinese Medicine, compare and contrast the use of Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine in Preventive Health, and discuss how to restore a healthy condition and understand the pharmacological basis of different types of Chinese tonifying herbs.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Reflections from 40 Years Fighting International Epidemics (Coursera) Coursera
Dartmouth College

Reflections from 40 Years Fighting International Epidemics (Coursera)

Reflections on patients, policies, pan-epidemics, prose and medical humanities from a 40-year career fighting epidemics around the world by an infectious disease public health physician. Examples include HIV/AIDS, Anthrax, SARS, MERS, H5N1 and H1N1 influenza, Nipah, Ebola (with MSF 2014), Zika, Plague (with WHO 2017) and COVID-19. Working side-by-side with international colleagues to provide hands-on patient care and to share stories is an expression of medical humanities.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life (Coursera)

What is a genome? A genome contains all of the information that a cell needs to develop, function, and reproduce itself, and all the information needed for those cells to come together to form a person, plant, or animal. Genomes contain an organism’s complete set of genes, and also the even tinier genetic structures that help regulate when and how those genes are used. The ability to regrow a torn ligament, the clues that might predict the onset of mental illness, the nutritional potential of crops, and even the history of life itself, are all encoded in genomes. By taking this course, you will discover how scientists are deciphering the language of genomes to learn how to develop sustainable food and fuel supplies, improve disease treatment and prevention, and protect our environment.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Inclusión social de personas con discapacidad desde un enfoque de derechos (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de Chile

Inclusión social de personas con discapacidad desde un enfoque de derechos (Coursera)

La OMS en el año 2011 publicó el Informe Mundial sobre la Discapacidad, en el cual se evidencia un aumento en la prevalencia de discapacidad de un 15% (anteriormente se estimaba entre un 7 y un 10% de la población). Las personas que viven en situación de discapacidad presentan mayores niveles de deprivación en diferentes ámbitos: inserción al mercado del trabajo, nivel educacional, etc.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Responsible Reporting on Suicide for Journalists (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Responsible Reporting on Suicide for Journalists (Coursera)

Responsible Reporting on Suicide for Journalists is designed to give working journalists and students who are interested in the field an understanding of how news media can impact suicide trends and how that power can be used to improve public health. An extensive body of research shows that certain methods of reporting on suicide deaths can increase the number of subsequent suicides among the public. Conversely, responsible methods of reporting on suicide can increase the likelihood of people seeking help.

Nov 23rd 2026
1 Week
Global Health Diplomacy (Coursera) Coursera
The State University of New York

Global Health Diplomacy (Coursera)

The field of global health is often thought of purely in medical or public health terms, but there are important geopolitical and policy dimensions of global health that underlie programmatic responses to global health challenges. By completing this course, learners will be able to explain the specific institutions and initiatives that are fundamental to current global health diplomacy activities and functions, and how these influence global health outcomes. Learners will further be able to summarize real-world examples where global health diplomacy either helped or limited global health outcomes, and explain the reasons for those outcomes.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Across the Gender Spectrum (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Health Across the Gender Spectrum (Coursera)

This course offers an intimate, story-based introduction to the experiences of six transgender children and their families. Through illustrated stories and short teaching videos, learners will gain a better understanding of gender identity and the gender spectrum. Stanford physicians, K-12 educators, and transgender faculty members offer practical tips for parents, teachers, healthcare providers and anyone who wants to help create a more gender-expansive environment - one in which all people can live authentically. As a global community of unique individuals, we can begin to build a world that is ready to nurture and love each and every child.

Nov 23rd 2026
3 Weeks
Application of Health Equity Research Methods for Practice and Policy (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Application of Health Equity Research Methods for Practice and Policy (Coursera)

Intended for students who have completed the introduction to health equity research course and/or have previous experience working in this area. This course will cover innovative methods, practical tools, and skills required to conduct rigorous health equity research and translate evidence-based strategies into practice and policy.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems (Coursera) Coursera
University of Manchester

Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems (Coursera)

Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation. We look forward to you joining us. We want to help you develop the skills you need to address this major global challenge of the 21st century.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks