Turning Practicing Surgeons Into Health Technology Innovators: Outcomes From the Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellowship

Abstract

Background. The Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellows program was established in 2014 to train Stanford Medical and Engineering faculty in a repeatable innovation process for health technology translation while also being compatible with the busy clinical schedules of surgical faculty members. Methods. Since 2014, 62 faculty members have completed the fellowship with 42% (n = 26) coming from 14 surgical subspecialties. This eight-month, needs-based innovation program covers topics from identifying unmet health-related needs, to inventing new technology, developing plans for intellectual property (IP), regulatory, reimbursement, and business models to advance the technologies toward patient care. Results/Conclusion. Intake and exit survey results from three years of program participants (n = 36) indicate that the fellowship is a valuable hands-on educational program capable of improving awareness and experience with skill sets required for health technology innovation and entrepreneurship.