Hospital Simulator
A 3D interactive hospital simulator (digital twin) with AI agents representing patients and healthcare staff used for health system research and healthcare worker training.
Dr Chris Paton
BMBS BMedSci MBA DPhil FBCS
Contact: chris.paton@auckland.ac.nz
Dr Chris Paton is a medical doctor, software developer and researcher in digital health and AI. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the BMJ Digital Health & AI journal and an Associate Professor of Health AI at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland. He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Auckland and a DPhil in Digital Health Technologies from the University of Oxford. He was elected as a Founding Fellow of Reuben College, Oxford, and he is currently a Fellow of the British Computer Society. He is the author of the Textbook of Digital Health (open access) and 85 peer-reviewed publications.
Digital Health Newsletter
Software
MEDCHAT
A novel chatbot interface for on-device secure AI clinical decision support systems designed for low-resource settings.
In development
LIFE (Life-saving Instruction for Emergencies)
A virtual reality simulation system for training healthcare workers in Africa.
MedStudent.Org
An online learning portal for pre-clinical medical students utilising 3D models, spaced repetition and deliberate practice for anatomy and physiology.
In development
EHR Simulator
A web-based EHR simulator for clinical training and user interface design experiments.
Linux Simulator
A simulator for students learning how to use the Linux Operating System (web and iOS app).
Sailing Simulator
A free online 3D sailboat simulator - learn to sail on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.
Architectural Designer
A free online 3D architectural design system. Learn about ancient architectural techniques and design your house in a classical style!
Publications
Research
Usability of Digital Health Technologies
How NHS digital systems could be improved through modernised user interface guidelines and quantitative usability modelling.
Understanding research on artificial intelligence in healthcare
Editorial on why clinicians need to appraise the evidence for AI tools, including data contamination in large language models and patients’ concerns about consent and privacy.
Artificial intelligence for medical students: a review of current challenges, opportunities and future directions
Why future doctors need to understand how AI works and how to appraise the evidence for its safety and effectiveness.
Open Source Digital Health Software for Resilient, Accessible and Equitable Healthcare Systems
A rapid review with international case studies from the IMIA Open Source Working Group.
Lessons from the design, development and implementation of a three-dimensional (3D) neonatal resuscitation training smartphone application: Life-saving Instruction for Emergencies (LIFE app)
The key steps in building a 3D, scenario-based training app for front-line health workers using agile, human-centred design.
Improving the Usability and Safety of Digital Health Systems: The Role of Predictive Human-Computer Interaction Modeling
Predictive modelling of human-computer interaction and its use in developing and evaluating user interfaces for systems such as electronic health records.
Evaluation of Adaptive Feedback in a Smartphone-Based Game on Health Care Providers’ Learning Gain: Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomised trial of adaptive versus standard feedback in a smartphone game simulating a medical emergency.
Digital health Systems in Kenyan Public Hospitals: a mixed-methods survey
A survey and site visits assessing the adoption and capabilities of digital health systems in Kenyan public hospitals.
Textbooks
Textbook of Digital Health
Developed for the “Introduction to Digital Health” course at the University of Auckland, covering health systems, electronic health records, mHealth, telehealth, clinical decision support and health data infrastructure.
Textbook of Linux
The history, architecture and use of Linux, from the kernel and shell to scripting, networking and modern containerised systems.
Textbook of Sailing
An illustrated guide to sailing a yacht, with a free simulator of Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour.
Textbook of Architecture
The rules of architecture from the Egyptians and the Greeks to the present, illustrated with 3D models you can turn, cut open and change.
Talks
Please get in touch if you would like Dr Paton to give a talk at your conference or event.
2026 McAuley Oration, University of Otago
AI for global health: opportunities, risks, and future developments.
BMJ Future Health Conference
Digital twins and AI simulation in healthcare.
Keeping up with AI in healthcare
Open Source, On-Device AI for Improving Healthcare Delivery
Five Trends in Digital Health and AI
Claude Code for Beginners: Linux Command Line Basics
A seminar on getting started with the Linux command line for Claude Code users.
Precision health and AI: the future for healthcare in New Zealand
With Professor Justin O’Sullivan and Dr Roan Zaied.
AI & Global Health
With Dr Pratap Kumar.
© Dr Chris Paton