Conclusion
There is a growing need for physicians with technical expertise to lead the development of innovative solutions to challenges facing the modern healthcare system, and to participate collaboratively in the advancement of novel medical devices and technologies. A joint engineering and medical school curriculum such as the Augustine program exemplify a unique opportunity for medical students, residents, and fellows to gain the necessary expertise to become future thought-leaders. Nonetheless, innovation, leadership, and transdisciplinary collaboration should be incorporated longitudinally with diverse opportunities throughout medical education.
REFERENCES
  1. Brazile T, Hostetter Shoop G, McDonough CM, Van Citters DW. 2018. Promoting innovation: Enhancing transdisciplinary opportunities for medical and engineering students. Medical Teacher. 40(12):1264–1274. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2018.1426841
  2. Coiado OC, Ahmad K. 2020. Introducing First-Year Medical Students to Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship. MedSciEduc. 30(1):19–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-019-00879-y
  3. George EI, Brand TC, LaPorta A, Marescaux J, Satava RM. 2018. Origins of Robotic Surgery: From Skepticism to Standard of Care. JSLS. 22(4):e2018.00039. https://doi.org/10.4293/JSLS.2018.00039
  4. Matheny ME, Whicher D, Thadaney Israni S. 2020. Artificial Intelligence in Health Care: A Report From the National Academy of Medicine. JAMA. 323(6):509. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.21579
  5. Niccum BA, Sarker A, Wolf SJ, Trowbridge MJ. 2017. Innovation and entrepreneurship programs in US medical education: a landscape review and thematic analysis. Medical Education Online. 22(1):1360722. https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2017.1360722
  6. Sendak MP, Gao M, Ratliff W, Whalen K, Nichols M, Futoma J, Balu S. 2021. Preliminary results of a clinical research and innovation scholarship to prepare medical students to lead innovations in health care. Healthcare. 9(3):100555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjdsi.2021.100555
  7. Sharma A, Harrington RA, McClellan MB, Turakhia MP, Eapen ZJ, Steinhubl S, Mault JR, Majmudar MD, Roessig L, Chandross KJ, et al. 2018. Using Digital Health Technology to Better Generate Evidence and Deliver Evidence-Based Care. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 71(23):2680–2690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.03.523
  8. Thimbleby H. 2013. Technology and the future of healthcare. J Public Health Res. 2(3):e28. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2013.e28
  9. Wartman SA, Combs CD. 2018. Medical Education Must Move From the Information Age to the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Academic Medicine. 93(8):1107–1109. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000002044
Table 1: Coursework and research requirements for students completing the Augustine program.