Explore innovation in healthcare with our free, facilitated four-session course, developed and delivered by the West of England AHSN and the University of Bath’s Centre for Healthcare Innovation and Improvement. Learn at your own pace from wherever you choose.

Course content is continually available to learners via the Future Learn platform.

What the programme offers

Circa 3-hours of online study for each of the four sessions will see you complete this introduction to innovation in healthcare course.

The course aims to approach the challenges of healthcare innovation, while signposting useful tools and techniques. This course is not designed to cover all the aspects of healthcare innovation, but to introduce learners to some of the core concepts and tools used in this field.

  • Week 1 defines the key concepts associated with the process of innovation and diffusion. We will also discuss the importance of, and opportunities for, innovation.
  • Week 2 examines how individuals and organisations can develop, test, and make the case for their healthcare innovation.
  • Week 3 considers the organisational and financial hurdles that must be overcome in order to bring healthcare invention to the market. We will also examine how to evaluate healthcare innovation.
  • Finally, Week 4 examines how innovation can be spread and sustained, concluding our course.

Feedback from former delegates:

“the raw content is an unbeatable overview of the key aspects for healthcare innovations”.

“Amazing course – totally changed my perception about MOOC courses. Very inspiring too. Eager to put into practice all that I learned here!” Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.

“This course has made me really think about the innovation arm of our Trust Improvement Team and our understanding of what is meant by innovation.” Quality Improvement Practitioner

Who is it for?

The course is aimed at health practitioners, clinicians, health and social care managers and commissioners who want to complete a development opportunity at their own pace that could be a step on from Quality Improvement.

The course will enable those working in health and social care to apply the theories and approaches in their own workplace. However, it will also be of interest to those who want to understand more about the challenges of innovation in healthcare including undergraduate and postgraduate students, and innovators from the commercial sector.

What are the learning outcomes?

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the need to engage in innovation
  • Recognise healthcare innovation initiatives
  • Understand and apply the key steps involved to take the innovation from the idea to realisation
  • Evaluate how individuals and organisations might be encouraged to develop an innovation mindset
  • Understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration
  • Evaluate the challenges of healthcare innovation in relation to their own organisation

At the end of this course, participants will also attain the following skills:

  • Be equipped to initiate and support innovation initiatives
  • Critical thinking and evaluation
  • Information analysis and ability to reflect on complex issues

Delegate feedback

  • The course met or exceeded 99% of surveyed learners expectations.
  • 94% of surveyed learners gained new skills or knowledge by completing the course.
  • 67% of surveyed learners started to implement their learning whilst completing the course.
  • 70% of surveyed learners shared their learning with other people whilst completing the course.

CPD certification is available on the Future Learn platform with a paid upgrade.

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The West of England Academy

Explore our free Academy resources to gain essential knowledge and skills for innovative thinking in healthcare. Our resources include events, toolkits and online training.

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Academy resources

We have a range of resources, from toolkits and guides to videos and networks to support you along the innovation journey.

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